BLUE MOUNTAINS NETBALLERS WELCOME RECORD FUNDING COMMITMENT

Blue Mountains netball players of all ages and abilities will benefit from a $20 million funding boost to Netball Australia, over two years, under a Shorten Labor Government.

Member for Macquarie, Susan Templeman said the record funding commitment was great news for players and volunteers at the eight local netball clubs in the Blue Mountains.

“You only need to be at Lapstone on a Saturday to know how popular netball is in the Mountains,” Ms Templeman said.  “In fact, it is the largest participation sport for women and girls in Australia, with around 80 per cent of households involved as players, volunteers, coaches or administrators.

“The $20 million over two years will go towards grassroots participation and engagement programs that will benefit our local netballers on a range of levels.

“Every weekend during the netball season, our local netball courts are packed with players and their families, coaches and other volunteers,” she said. “And we have a healthy twilight comp over the summer that has only just wrapped up.

“This funding will see benefits that are far-reaching for all our local players and families, and those who have yet to discover the joys of netball.

Blue Mountains Netball Association (BMNA) President, Alison Yates welcomed the funding commitment.

“A commitment such as this will mean we have more resources to support everyone involved at the grassroots, from our youngest players, our volunteer coaches and officials, all the way up to our elite level players,” Ms Yates said.

“It will help players like Laura Patterson and Mahalia Everingham, who started at local club level, before being selected to play for BMNA in the Metropolitan League and have now been picked them to train with the Panthers elite potentials program.

“We welcome the support that will allow them and other girls to follow the pathways through Netball NSW to ultimately play in the elite competitions,” she said.

 Ms Templeman said the funding commitment would also support Netball Australia’s bid to host the 2027 Netball World Cup in Australia.

“Around 850,000 women and girls participate in Netball each year across Australia, yet we don’t see that reflected in TV coverage or sponsorship of our elite competitions.

“The expansion and broadcast of women’s football and cricket has been supported by revenue generated by their elite male competitions, but this isn’t an option for netball.

“Labor’s $20 million investment will ensure that net