The Diamond Spirit program uses netball to engage, empower and educate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls in remote and regional communities across Queensland, with this extra funding to target an estimated 300 female high risk Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth.
This project received grant funding from the Australian Government under Round 6 of the Safer Communities Fund Early Intervention program.
Netball Queensland CEO Kate Davies said the grant provided a real opportunity for young First Nations girls to build confidence and connections through netball and be inspired to follow their dreams like Queensland Firebirds Indigenous players Donnell Wallam and Jemma Mi Mi.
“The Diamond Spirit program offers a pathway for participants in remote communities, delivered through schools and communities,” Ms Davies said.
“This is more than simply teaching netball skills though, this is assisting youth at high risk to develop life skills, to promote inclusion and build community resilience.”
Glenn Dennis, Netball Queensland General Manager - Netball, said the investment represented an opportunity for Netball Queensland to engage with more young women through our Diamond Spirit program and create meaningful opportunities to be a part of our sport.
“Netball Queensland is committed to growing First Nations representation at all levels of the sport,” Mr Dennis said.
“The growth of the Diamond Spirit programs will be the catalyst for more grassroots participation in community clubs by First Nations athletes and will help us to continue to enrich lives through Netball.”
Tonight’s Queensland Firebirds’ First Nations Round home game against Giants Netball is a sell-out, with an expected tight tussle for a finals berth between the third-placed visitors and fourth-placed Firebirds.
The regular Suncorp Super Netball season wraps up next weekend, when the Firebirds travel to Sydney for what will be another must-win game against the New South Wales Swifts.
Image Credit: The Courier Mail.
