Over the last six years, Woolworths – the naming rights partner of Woolworths NetSetGO - has donated over $1.3 million to more than 310 netball clubs and associations across Australia to inspire healthy eating habits and active lifestyles among young netball players.
Last year’s grant recipients included two Queensland associations – The Gap Netball Association and Mackay Netball Association – with both seeing significant benefit from the funding.
The Gap’s $8000 grant enabled them to fund their All-Play Inclusion Program – an initiative that included after-school Woolworths NetSetGO programs, social netball at high schools, a ‘Boys in Netball’ pilot and a Come and Try Netball day.
The association also ran an eight-week Woolworths NetSetGO program for 5-8 year-olds – free for newcomers - which was so popular it booked out in 48 hours and led to another session in the following term.
With just one boy registered in 2023, the association also used funding for their Boys in Netball program to boost participation.
Under the program boys received half-price registration fees, a free uniform as well as being buddied up with a player from the Queensland Suns men’s state netball team.
Participants were also funded to attend the Australian Mens and Mixed Netball Association national titles at Nissan Arena where they received a playing jersey from their Suns buddy.
This led to six further boys registering with the association for the 2024 season.
“This grant meant so much to our little club,” The Gap NA president Jodie Garritty said.
“Just winning the grant and being on the Today Show and the excitement around it really reinvigorated our community and got everyone excited about the year to come.
“The grant has also enabled us to bring netball to many, many children who have not had the opportunity to play before such as kids 5-8 years old, those not in a financial situation to play a full season, teens and boys.”
Mackay Netball Association utilised their grant to provide every participant in their Woolworths NetSetGO program with customised shirts and netballs, as well as fresh fruit after each session. This funding allowed Mackay to offer the program free of charge to over 80 children, many of whom would not have been able to afford organised team sports otherwise.
As well as being able to apply for grants up to $8000, Woolworths are bringing back their popular People’s Choice for 2024.
If you’re thinking of entering make sure to get in as early as possible to have more time to enhance their chance of winning People’s Choice, which comes with a $20,000 grant.
Every club that submits an application to the Woolworths Grants programme is automatically entered into the People’s Choice and all clubs are listed on the Woolworths Grant website.
Anyone can vote for the club they feel is most deserving and the club that gets the most votes will be selected as the winner of the People’s Choice Award and the $20,000.
For more information on the grants and how to apply, visit: https://pickfreshplayfresh.netball.com.au/grants-2024/.
Applications are open until 23:59 local time (Sydney) on Sunday, 7th July 2024. Winners will be notified during the Suncorp Super Netball finals series.
Embrace this opportunity to enhance your netball programs and promote a healthier, more active lifestyle for our young athletes. Apply now and let’s keep Queensland netball thriving!
