Call out to get grass roots netball program off the ground

It will play a vital role in keeping Indigenous netball players on the court and provide opportunities to help them reach new heights in the sport, and it needs your help.

03 February 2010

After successfully running in Perth and regional areas such as Bunbury, Northam, Katanning and Mandurah, the local Department of Sport and Recreation (DSR) office is trying to get a Grass Roots Netball Program off the ground for the Goldfields.

The initiative is part of the Indigenous Netball Program funded by Healthway, Netball WA and Netball Australia, with DSR Indigenous Sports Development Officers (ISDOs) playing an active role in encouraging participation by engaging the community and providing linkages into the program.

DSR ISDO Christine Donaldson said the success of the program would depend on whether enough local Aboriginal people willing to fill coaching and managing roles, or in assisting with the program, stepped forward.            

“We are hoping there’s enough interest from people to fill these important sideline roles to get the teams off the ground and competing in the Goldfields,” Christine said.

“The program provides education, accreditation and development for coaches and umpires, and the development of community volunteers for club management so they would be provided with the support they need to contribute to the program and help to achieve positive outcomes for our young people in the Goldfields.”

Christine said the aim was to launch the program in early March 2010 with two teams from the Under 17s age group.

“Players involved will also benefit from a range of development opportunities, including a development camp in Broome and competing in various carnivals,” Christine said.

“We also hope to send selected players from the program to compete in the Northern Territory Championships in Darwin, so not only will the program provide our young people with potential opportunities to travel, but also opportunities to play in mainstream competition and at a higher level.”

Participation in sport and physical activity plays a vital role in improving the health and wellbeing of individuals, particularly people of Indigenous backgrounds and those living in regional areas, providing benefits including increased self-esteem, social and community cohesion and improvements in health and overall wellbeing.

Anyone interested in taking on a coaching, managing or assisting role in the Goldfields Grassroots Netball Program should contact:

Indigenous

The Aboriginal Services Unit Regional Development Officers work in cooperation with the Department of Sport and Recreation and the Australian Sports Commission's Indigenous Sport Program to help develop and promote sport and recreation among the Indigenous Community of Western Australia.