The partnership began in 2013 and since then more than 60,000 Belt Up branded netballs have been distributed across Western Australia. This year, the sponsorship has been extended to include umpires, who will now wear the Belt Up logo on their uniforms.
Netball WA Chief Executive Officer Simone Hansen said the partnership was important to Netball WA because it conveys such a strong messaging to everyone involved in the sport.
“The simple fact is that seat belts save lives, and at Netball WA we take the responsibility of spreading the Belt Up message very seriously,” Hansen said.
“We know that people involved in our sport are very passionate about Netball but they also are prepared to travel far and wide to play the sport they love. Our job, in partnership with the Insurance Commission of Western Australia, is to make sure they do that safely by belting up.”
Hansen said more than 7,000 Belt Up branded balls would be distributed to Netball clubs throughout WA this year as well as ever-popular NAIDOC Ball.
“The NAIDOC Ball Design competition has been run annually in recent years and it gives NAIDOC community members the chance to design a ball for use in our NAIDOC carnivals,” she said.
“The NAIDOC balls are another innovative way that we can spread the Belt Up message in addition to our other activities such as Belt Up Round in the Gold Industry Group WA Netball League.”
Alison Wilson, General Manager Governance and Stakeholder Relations at the Insurance Commission said:
“Belt Up is an important message for the Insurance Commission. Last year, 77 people were killed or seriously injured in crashes on WA roads while not wearing a seatbelt. This is equivalent to about ten netball teams.”
“Wearing a seatbelt can help lessen the severity of car crash injuries.”
“The Insurance Commission is proud to partner with Netball WA and put the Belt Up message directly into the hands of the netball community.”
The 2024 Belt Up Round in the Gold Industry Group WA Netball League will be held during Round 10 on Tuesday, 14 May at the Gold Netball Centre.
