Netball for all
Explore Councils by state
Council support has helped the Sandringham District Netball Association (SDNA) to run a weekly All Abilities Netball program for young people with a disability wanting to participate in a team sport.
SDNA coaches, Emily Higgins and Kris Pierce, who are mothers of children with disabilities, started the program in early 2018.
“We found it hard to find all abilities sports for our own children to participate in, like their siblings do,” Emily said.
“We started a come-and-try program which was so successful we continued on for the remainder of the year.”
The group of boys and girls aged 9-14 years have a range of disabilities.
“They all share a love of coming together to play netball each week,” Emily said.
“It is really nice to see the kids playing sport in a team sport, there are lovely friendships being fostered. It is a joy to be a part of.”
The All Abilities Netball program will continue into 2019, thanks to funding received from Bayside City Council and VicHealth. The East Brighton Vampires Netball Club provides equipment, and SDNA provides the courts at no charge.
“This really has been a fusion of many different parts of the community supporting young people with disabilities to be included in team sports,” Emily said.
Council is currently in the planning stages for a new home for netball in Bayside in Wangara Road, Sandringham. The $11.3 million Stage 1 of the project is fully funded by Council and includes 12 outdoor netball courts and associated amenity pavilion on the site in Stage 1.
The $9 million Stage 2 of the project includes an 3 additional outdoor and 2 indoor courts. This stage is dependent on funding from other levels of government.
The new facilities will not only meet the current and future needs of netball locally but also enable the netball association to expand its programs. This includes developing the All Abilities program, participation opportunities for boys and men, and will help to service other sports as well as local schools. Find out more about the Bayside Netball Centre and Council's advocacy program.