East Sunbury Netball Club (ESNC) is looking to grow netball locally, after receiving a $5000 grant through a community activation grants program.
The program is run by the state government in the aim to support women and girls at all levels of sport in Victoria, with 104 sporting organisations set to benefit from the 2022-23 program.
ESNC president Katrina Simpson said she found out the club had won the grant on Tuesday morning, May 2.
“I found out this morning… [and] I was ecstatic,” Ms Simpson said. “I did message my committee to let them all know.”
“We’re very excited, it helps, it’s going to make a difference as to what we can do as a club.”
Ms Simpson said the money will go towards coaching and umpiring development, especially for the junior teams after the club’s recent growth.
“We have about 142 members and nine junior teams,” she said.
“We started with four last year, so we’re seeing some really great growth.
“Building junior development is key to the growth of the club… girls want to get out and be doing something, [and] we want to give them as much opportunity to do that.”
Ms Simpson said having the right coaches can help build confidence and support for the players.
“The better coaches we can have the more success we can give to our kids.
“Having the right coaches is key to helping them grow… It builds confidence in their netball… hopefully they can use that in the community and everything else they do.
“Hopefully [the grant] can make some big differences in what we can supply to our members.”
Zoe Moffatt
