Cash-strapped Netball Australia (NA) has been provided a recent monetary lifeline simply weeks after the game’s governing physique appointed Diamonds star Liz Ellis to its board.
The $6 million funding deal, hailed as a serious step ahead for the code, is ready to be introduced by Sports Minister Anika Wells alongside gamers from the nationwide crew in Brisbane on Friday.
Ms Wells mentioned the funding was a testomony to the federal government’s dedication to ladies’s sport forward of the 2027 Netball World Cup.
“Netball plays a key role in the community, particularly in rural areas and is visible inspiration for young women and girls to live healthier lives,” she mentioned.
But the money injection is less than half of the $18 million ripped from the game simply final November over considerations that it might not be appropriately spent. However, the federal government mentioned it was open to revisiting the choice sooner or later.Â
It’s understood each NA and the federal government view the $6 million as a primary step in repairing relations that strained beneath the game’s former management.
The sport on the time was additionally going through controversy over a bitter dispute with gamers a few pay deal that left them with out wages for months.Â
But, the federal government now views the game as being again on observe. It follows the appointment of Ms Ellis as chair of the board and former participant and longtime NA administrator govt Stacey West as chief govt.
The pair had been each in Canberra final week and held a number of conferences with MPs, together with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
The funding is ready to be put apart for the World Cup, due to be held in Sydney in 2027, the place the Diamonds will try to defend their title.
It will likely be extra than a decade since Australia hosted the final championship.
The landmark occasion will mark 100 years of Netball in Australia and the federal government says the $6 million funding will likely be a major contribution to the occasion.
Ms Ellis, who stepped into the function simply three weeks in the past, thanked the federal government for his or her “ongoing support” to make the World Cup the “greatest ever”.
Diamonds captain Liz Watson mentioned the World Cup can be a “pivotal moment” for the game each domestically and internationally.
“The federal government’s support will help to ensure it is a landmark event for netball in Australia and inspires the next generation of Australia Diamonds,” she mentioned.
Netball has the best participation numbers for ladies and ladies in sport.