ALL-abilities netball club the Ballarat Bulldogs have been awarded a grant to support their operations.<\/p>\n
The group has received an $8000 Woolworths Pick Fresh Play Fresh Netball grant, and club secretary Lexie Hardman said the money will cover the costs of upgrading equipment, assisting players with fees, and transport.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe also want to promote our club to the next generation of netballers who might want to join us,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have a country conference round coming to Ballarat in September, so we\u2019d like to promote that more, and be able to give out some healthy snacks to players, volunteers, and members of the public.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Ballarat Bulldogs netball squad is made up of both male and female players, and all ages are welcome, with the youngest team member currently 14 years old.<\/p>\n
Local players have had their first opportunity to compete against other country region clubs this year, as part of monthly round robin tournaments. Some of the Bulldogs\u2019 footy players are also netballers.<\/p>\n
Ms Hardman said the club has a goal to also add a NetSetGO program for children to their offerings in 2024.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019d love to have juniors coming through,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Netball Australia CEO Kelly Ryan said the Woolworths\u2019 support of grassroots groups like the Bulldogs \u201cdoes not go unnoticed.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGiving clubs the opportunity to grow, whilst also removing barriers for young players to eat healthier and keep more active is so important,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are really excited to see how the Woolworths Pick Fresh Play Fresh Netball Grant winners use their funds over the next year to help more Aussies enjoy the sport we all love.\u201d<\/p>\n
As a not-for-profit, Ms Hardman said grants are important to the Bulldogs\u2019 survival.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have to raise all our own funds, so all of us as volunteers are always trying to run raffles and raise as much as we can,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs our players have disabilities, they can be at a financial disadvantage, so we try to help them as much as possible.<\/p>\n
\u201cThanks to Woolworths. It\u2019s going amazing help for the club, and our little up-and-coming team.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ALL-abilities netball club the Ballarat Bulldogs have been awarded a grant to support their operations. The group has received an $8000 Woolworths Pick Fresh Play Fresh Netball grant, and club secretary Lexie Hardman said the money will cover the costs of upgrading equipment, assisting players with fees, and transport. \u201cWe also want to promote our […]<\/p>\n