Up to 150 Mackay children now have access to a free netball program thanks to Woolworths Pick Fresh Play Fresh Netball Grants.
Mackay Netball Association was one of 11 community netball clubs in Australia to receive grants from Woolworths in an initiative providing young netballers with improved facilities and encouraging healthy habits.
The $8,000 grant is being used to provide a six-week Woolworths NetSetGO program to up to 150 kids aged between five and ten.
Children will also be provided with fresh fruit, healthy snacks and customised equipment.
Mackay Netball Association Secretary Jenny Moohin said the program teaches netball basics including ball skills, gameplay and fine motor skills.
“A lot of kids come to the program, and they haven’t been playing with balls, so it’s really important that we provide them with these opportunities to develop those skills,” she said.
“Not everyone can afford it, so this is like a ‘come and try’ kind of thing to give those kids the opportunity to see if they like netball for free,” added Operations Manager Sharon Sutherland.
Ms Moohin and Ms Sutherland agreed on the strength of netball in the region and said grants, sponsorship and community support are integral in keeping the sport growing.
“We really need to be able to develop the association to be able to offer come and try days and that sort of thing for free,” said Ms Moohin.
“All of our coaches in the program will be volunteers, they’ll give up their time, but if you don’t have the young ones coming through, you’re not going to grow your association.
“Our NetSetGO program also gives us an opportunity to bring our junior coaches through and get them to help with the program, so it’s very important to teach kids to volunteer and they do, they love it.”
To find out more about Mackay Netball Association’s programs, visit mackaynetball.com or find Mackay Netball Association – MNA on Facebook.
Mackay Netball Association is providing a free netball program thanks to a grant from Woolworths. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie
