Grants level the playing field

THE Bacchus Marsh Netball Association is set to receive a boost from the 2023 to 2024 Change Our Game Community Activation Grants Program.

The club will use the $4000 State grant to lower fees so it can be more accessible to the community and encourage more players, umpires and coaches to get involved, especially women and girls.

“Women in the regions love getting involved in sport, and it’s fantastic that the Bacchus Marsh Netball Association are making it even easier for people to get involved,” said Member for Eureka, Michaela Settle.

BMNA president Nikita Walker said the aim is to remove financial barriers and encourage more women to take development and leadership opportunities.

“I just felt that it would help to target women in our association and the broader community offering incentives to participation and involvement in umpiring and coaching,” she said.

“With women it’s not something they can easily take on whether it’s cost or time.

“Within our social media we are pinpointing the courses that you can take on board and how we can offer financially to those willing to take on those roles and training.”

Ms Walker said her involvement with the association has helped develop her skills and build a sense of self.

“I think having sport in the community really does bring a person a sense in our community,” she said.

“Myself, taking on a role being a stay-at-home mum within the association has really empowered me to feel reconnected within a professional field in a workplace

“It’s using skills and developing skills that you may feel like you aren’t utilising.”

Bacchus Marsh Netball Association is one of 119 successful recipients in this round of grants which aim to create gender equality across all levels of sport. Groups have been able to apply for up to $10,000.