Junior netball growth in Lara earns statewide award

AN INTRODUCTORY netball program based in the heart of Lara has been recognised for its success in bringing new players into the sport at a rapidly growing pace.

Lara Netball Club’s NetSetGO program was awarded the Centre of the Year Award at the recent Netball Victoria Community Awards and has been awarded a $500 prize as a result.

The Centre of the Year Award was bestowed on Lara for the significant growth and development of junior netballers in its community through the establishment of an accredited NetSetGO Centre, according to Netball Victoria.

The NetSetGO program provides tangible recognition for the efforts of individuals in improving and developing netball at grass roots level.

Organiser of Lara’s NetSetGO program and secretary of the club, Bridie Brady, said she was excited after finding out the club had received the award.

“We have put a lot of hard work into the program,” Ms Brady said.

“It’s good for the kids that they have somewhere to develop their skills, it’s good for the sport and it’s good for the town, so it’s safe to say we are pretty proud.”

The program attracts 30 kids a term every week, which is expected to approach 40 to kick off 2022 – a big increase according to Ms Brady and her team of volunteers.

“Catering to kids aged between five and 10 years of age, we focus on a range of teamwork-oriented activities and basic netball skills,” Ms Brady said.

“Obviously as they get older, we teach them more advanced netball skills and knowledge, but we mainly just try to keep it a fun and safe environment for the kids to get some exercise and learn some new skills.”

Participation growth is evident for the centre, as 2021 was the first year the NetSetGO program ran throughout all four terms at Lara in its more than five years at the club.

“The move to go to four terms has always been to keep interest up, especially with COVID-19 having an effect on all facets of the club,” Ms Brady said.

“We’ve been working really hard to get our numbers up across all of our age groups at Lara, so we’re hoping that with the more options being available to the community, interest and fun continue to be big attractions to new players.”

NetSetGO sessions run every Wednesday afternoon at Lara Netball Club and will resume in Term 1 next year.

For further details or register your interest contact <b>[email protected]</b>.