Competitors are all smiles as they prepare to take to the court for junior netball action in Weipa. Photo: Supplied.
Children from PCYC Napranum will get the opportunity to train and compete in netball games in Weipa alongside players from surrounding communities.
In partnership with Weipa Social Netball Club, the children will travel to the township twice a week, with one day dedicated to training and skill development, and the other competition.
PCYC Napranum club manager Sergeant Rhonda Spence said it was a great collaboration for a community without many local sporting opportunities.
“There’s no fixture sport played outside of PCYC or school in Napranum, so if kids want to be involved in a sporting group, we support them by taking them to Weipa, so they can get exposure to every kind of sport,” she said.
“Last year, we mentioned to the kids that we’d like to get them involved in a new sport, and netball was their choice.
“We reached out to Weipa Social Netball Club and they gave us a kind donation of $500 for the kids to get to Weipa and participate.”
Club treasurer Abbey Martin said the 2024 program was the biggest in its history.
“We’ve only ever been able to offer three age groups and limited numbers, but this year, we’ve got five age groups,” she said.
Rio Tinto donated $5,000 to the program this year, allowing the club to purchase more equipment, lower the price of participation, and split overcrowded age groups.
Ms Markin explained the 10-week program had previously only offered training on Mondays, but more volunteers meant the club could also hold games on Wednesdays in 2024.
“A lot of the times, when we took kids out to carnivals, it was an eye-opener for them, because they’ve only ever done training,” Ms Markin said.
“With the games, they get more experience with the format of it, so that when we do take them to carnivals, it’s definitely less daunting for them.”
Sergeant Spence said the Napranum netball contingent could not wait to get into game after visiting Weipa for the sign-up event.
“Their energy was happy, enthusiastic, keen; all those good qualities you want to see in a child to do well at what they’re doing or want to do,” Sergeant Spence said.
“On the way back, they were singing and smiling and laughing, and talking about how much fun it was, not only to do some netball drills, but also to have fun with the other kids there.”
Netballers from Napranum have joined the competition in Weipa and will train on Mondays and hit the court to compete on Wednesdays over the next 10 weeks. Photo: Supplied.
