Woolworths has extended its partnership with Netball Australia, its state-based member organisations and six of the eight Suncorp Super Netball clubs, including the NSW Swifts, until October 2021.
To help ensure netball communities get through the hardship and challenging times of COVID-19, Woolworths will focus on growing grassroots and community sport and have committed to a grants program supporting clubs and associations nationwide.
Over the past two years over 715,000 females played netball across the nation, with nearly half of them under the age of 14 and Woolworths have supported each and every one of those participants.
Netball Australia Chief Commercial Officer David Lee said the sport is delighted to continue its strong relationship with Woolworths.
“Woolworths has been an enormous supporter of netball now for more than three years and have most recently worked with us as a strategic partner to ensure the sport successfully rebounds and thrives past COVID-19,” he said.
“Woolworths have played a tremendous role in Netball Australia’s COVID-19 digital pivot, assisting the sport to engage grassroots communities throughout isolation and restrictions via online programs such as NETFIT and NetSetGO Playground.
“As the leading participation sport for women and girls, Netball Australia is currently undertaking an independent review that will guide our growth strategy through to 2027 and we look forward to aligning this work closely with Woolworths on these plans.”
Woolworths Chief Marketing Officer Andrew Hicks said the supermarket was committed to helping ensure the success of netball through the pandemic.
“While the pandemic has changed how some communities connect, it’s important organisations like Netball Australia have the resources they need to continue supporting athletes during COVID-19 and ramp up at a local level when it’s safe to do so,” he said.
"We’re thrilled to continue our partnership and work toward our shared goal of encouraging young Australians to live a more active lifestyle centred around fresh food and community sport.”
Woolworths’ primary focus in working with all netball stakeholders is to educate young netballers about the importance of nutrition and being active.
This has been achieved through the creation of the “You Grow Girl” campaign that began in 2018 and has evolved year on year. In 2019, the program supported over 200 netball clubs and associations across Australia through donations of grant money, post pads and club clinics.
Woolworths will also continue to be a Major Partner of the Australian Diamonds, helping to connect netball’s current elite with those that aspire to be the champions of tomorrow.
