Netball is one of 62 partners involved in the ‘Team Up’ program, an initiative supported by the Australian Government, which builds on more than two decades of sport for development work and activities in the Asia-Pacific region.
Together with Team Up and each of the netball federations, Netball Australia will help to deliver the One Netball Samoa, One Netball PNG and One Netball Tonga programs over the next two years.
Varying by country, the programs will aim to address gender equity issues, water security, hygiene and sanitation challenges, and support the empowerment and development of women, girls and marginalised groups to become leaders both on and off the court.
According to Netball Australia’s Executive General Manager of Community and Market Development, Melonie Lowe, netball is a powerful force in creating connections and providing women, in particular, with a safe environment to develop leadership and other important skills.
“The impact of sport on physical and mental health is well known,” Ms Lowe said. “These programs deliver comprehensive education programs that provides critical life skills to communities in the Pacific.”
Team Up Partnerships Manager, Andrew Lepani is excited to be launching this new phase in sport for development.
“While Team Up builds on the solid foundations set by its long-running predecessor program, Pacific Sports Partnerships (PSP), it has a new and sharpened focus on allowing all people, regardless of their gender, ability or background, to reach their full potential through sport.
“Netball have been working closely with us over the past few months to design and refine their programs and we are all looking forward to teaming up to transform lives through sport.”
Read more about the One Netball Samoa program here.
Read more about the One Netball PNG program here.
Read more about the One Netball Tonga program here.
