The grants program is an extension of Woolworths’ naming rights partnership of netball’s junior participation program, Woolworths NetSetGO, and supports grassroots netball programs to improve the health and wellbeing of young netballers through physical activity and healthy diets.
Clubs and associations nationwide applied for five grants worth $10,000 and ten grants worth $5,000 each, with the funds aimed to assist with initiatives including facility improvements, equipment, and training programs.
This year’s successful clubs to receive $10,000 are:
- Lismore District Netball Association (NSW)
- Nar Nar Goon Netball Club (VIC)
- Binar Netball Club (WA)
- Kingborough Netball Association (TAS)
- Alice Springs Netball Association (NT)
The selected clubs plan to dedicate their grant funding to upgrading canteen facilities and menu offerings to encourage healthy eating habits (Alice Springs Netball Association & Kingsborough Netball Association), installing fresh drinking water facilities (Nar Nar Goon Netball Club), and subsidising registration fees to increase participation in low socio-economic areas (Binar Netball Club).
The Lismore District Netball Association was the first association to win a $10,000 grant after being inundated by the devastating floods in northern NSW earlier this year, losing everything in their two-story clubhouse. The grant will go towards rebuilding the community netball facilities and supporting local families involved with the association.
In addition to the above grant, Woolworths has also committed to an equipment donation including balls, bibs, and new goal post pads as well as covering the registration fees for Woolworths NetSetGO participants in 2023 to encourage continued participation in the sport. In total, Woolworths has provided $30,000 in support to Lismore District Netball Association.
Woolworths NetSetGO Ambassador and former Australian Diamond Catherine Cox was on hand to deliver the exciting news to the Lismore community and said: “They have been through some tough times of recent with the floods and we’re here to put smiles on faces.
“Going to netball on a Saturday morning was one of my favourite things to do and these local kids have missed out on that opportunity to get out with some friends for a long time now.
“Young netballers today are the next generation of the Australian Diamonds, so it’s important that we invest in their wellbeing from a young age and give them the best opportunity to thrive.”
Over the last five years, Woolworths has shown its continued support for grassroots netball, donating over $1.1 million to more than 285 netball clubs and associations across Australia through its community grants program.
Woolworths Group Chief Marketing Officer Andrew Hicks said: “We are thrilled to be able to support a number of grant winners and in particular, the Lismore District Netball Association, who lost their clubhouse and equipment in the devastating floods earlier this year.
“This year, we have proudly evolved our community grants program to nurture the health and wellbeing of Aussie kids, by encouraging them to pick fresh and play fresh.
“We look forward to seeing how club grant winners contribute to the health and wellbeing of the next generation of netballers.”
Netball Australia CEO Kelly Ryan said: "The Pick Fresh Play Fresh grants provide much-needed support to grassroots netball communities right across Australia.
"The future of netball will be shaped by children participating in programs such as Woolworths NetSetGO, made possible through Woolworths’ support for grassroots netball. We look forward to continuing to work with Woolworths to empower young netballers to eat well, be active, play netball and have fun.”
In addition to the winners of the $10,000 grants, ten community clubs won a $5,000 grant each including:
- St Ursulas/Fatima Netball Club (NSW)
- Kiama Netball Association (NSW)
- Gympie & Districts Netball Association (QLD)
- Raiders Netball Club (QLD)
- Port Melbourne Netball Club (VIC)
- Warrack Eagles Football & Netball Club (VIC)
- Border Downs Tintinara Netball Club (SA)
- Waikerie Netball Club (SA)
- Tuggeranong Netball Association (ACT)
- Ellenbrook Eels Netball Club (WA)
The selected clubs will dedicate their grant funding to various initiatives including upgrading basic facilities to encourage healthy food choices, promoting diversity and inclusion, aiding the financially disadvantaged within their communities as well as upgrading equipment to continue the Woolworths NetSetGO programs for all ages.
Further, flood-affected clubs in Queensland will use funds to replace damaged equipment (Gympie & Districts Netball Association) and assist their flood-affected families with registration fees (Raiders Netball Club).
Visit pickfreshplayfresh.netball.com.au for more information.
Images by Brook Desmond
