FAMILIES at the Wandong Netball Club will be at ease after the club received $2000 to help and encourage more kids to get into netball for cheaper.
The initiative funded a netball, branded shirt and a key chain for the club to supply for families who register their kids in the NetSetGo program, meaning parents don’t have to fork out extra to send their kids to local sport.
Other funds will also be used to help subsidise part of the registration, but will be determined by how many numbers the club gets.
Club president, Jo Pascoe, said it’s a helping hand for families who are already doing it tough.
“It makes it so much easier for families who have to make the hard decision of sending their kids to sport or paying the bills for the week,” she said.
“At least they can now do both with the comfort of not needing to spend extra money on uniforms and equipment.”
The funding is for the Woolworths NetSetGo program which is the start-up level for kids to get into the netball.
Wandong have found that kids who get through the program typically progress to playing until they’re much older at a senior level.
Funding will also be put towards nutritional food during the season, so families don’t have to supply food as well.
The Wandong Netball club range in junior teams from NetSetGo to under 16’s and play multiple different seasons throughout the year in Craigieburn and locally against teams like Kilmore, Seymour and Pyalong as well.
The 2026 Woolworths Netball Grants program helps remove financial barriers and ensure every child has the opportunity to participate in sport.
Since 2019, Woolworths has donated more than $1.1 million to 322 local netball clubs across Australia, helping communities grow participation and improve access to the sport.
Cath Cox, former Australian Diamonds player said: “As a coach and a parent, I’ve seen firsthand the impact sport can have on a child’s confidence and sense of belonging.
“It’s so encouraging to see initiatives like the Woolworths Netball Grants continuing to invest in local clubs because when clubs have the right facilities and support, more kids can get involved, have fun and stay active for longer.”
