Netball Australia has today welcomed a commitment from Federal Labor of $20 million over two years to help fund a range of Netball Australia’s grassroots participation and engagement programs, and to ensure a strong future for netball in Australia.
If Labor is elected, this will be the single biggest investment ever in Australian netball by a federal government and will benefit the more than 850,000 adults and children that participate in netball across Australia – from our 3,801 local netball clubs, to Suncorp Super Netball and the Samsung Australian Diamonds.
The funding will also support Netball Australia’s bid to host the 2027 Netball World Cup, bringing netball’s pinnacle international event to Australia once again and showcasing the world’s best netball talent.
Netball Australia CEO Marne Fechner has welcomed the Labor commitment and spoken of the positive impact it will have on not only netball in Australia, but women and girls across the country.
“For more than 90 years, Netball Australia has led the way for women on and off the netball court, celebrating their successes, advocating for gender equality and delivering real change, including our landmark pay deal, a pregnancy and childcare support framework and 12-month part-time athlete contracts” she said.
“A commitment such as this will play a key role in helping netball to increase participation and the overall fitness and wellbeing of Australians across the community, while ensuring that netball remains a key component of our community.
“Netball is the most popular sport for girls and women in Australia and an integral part of regional and suburban life for Australian families with 80% of Australian households involved in netball through either playing, volunteering, coaching or assisting in the administration of the sport – a commitment such as this will have an incredibly far-reaching impact.”
This announcement was made today by Labor leader Bill Shorten at the Fast5 Netball World Series taking place at Melbourne Arena.
