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Sport

NETBALL

Featherston Netball Club can take their netball game to the next level after being awarded an ANZ Netball Grant.

ANZ Netball Grants give netballers across Aotearoa an opportunity to apply for anything they need to continue playing the game they love — from uniforms and training gear to resurfaced courts and money-can’tbuy experiences. After another difficult year for community netball, where covid-19 cancelled games and shortened seasons, ANZ is helping to ease the fundraising effort for clubs and teams across the country.

Club president Nifo Ili applied for an ANZ Netball Grant on behalf of her junior teams because they didn’t have hoops to cater to their level. The club was awarded adjustable and portable netball hoops and new uniforms to help the juniors train and play at their best.

Ili said, “I’m really thankful that ANZ were able to help us. I only applied for the sake of our children. Everything we get is going to our juniors — but it will be good for the whole club.”

She said the hoops will allow the juniors to train with hoops at the correct height for their level and they’ll be able to host competitions against visiting teams.

“With covid, it’s really hard for parents, prices have gone up and some have lost jobs. There are some families who can’t afford it.”

Before Ili became president, the club didn’t have any junior teams.

“I do a lot of coaching with the kids and I help out with the seniors too. We come from a small town so my goal is to make sure our kids are involved in something and not causing trouble on the street. “I’ve always said that a club that works together plays together. Most of the girls who first started with the club are still here as adults.”

ANZ general manager marketing Matt Pickering said: “Community netball has had it tough over the last two years so we hope ANZ’s support makes it easier for players to continue playing the game they love.”

Featherston Netball Club A, from left: Lyric Clifton-Sinclair, Kayla Lanceley and Leah Wagner. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

“It’s not cheap to play netball. Uniforms cost a lot too. When I joined the club there were no uniforms for the kids. I did everything in my power to get our kids in the uniforms and into our club colours.

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