Netball SA has announced the first recipients of its inaugural First Nations Athlete Participation Scholarship program.
The scholarship was established to encourage and drive participation in netball across South Australia, by identifying emerging First Nations talent and supporting their entry to the early stages of the National Player Pathways.
It is designed to recognise and assist recipients by offsetting the costs of participating in netball and supporting their progression in Netball SA’s pathways.
Netball SA CEO Bronwyn Klei said the scholarship program was one element of the organisation’s broader First Nations Framework, launched in 2022.
“Delivering our scholarship program is one of many steps we are taking in our commitment to increasing participation rates and the development of First Nations netballers across our state,” Ms Klei said.
“The scholarship was designed to identify emerging talent and we are proud to be supporting these recipients in continuing their netball journeys.”
Karen Lenton, whose son Kruz was among the successful recipients, said the scholarship would assist her son in taking the next step towards achieving his netball dreams.
“Kruz lives and breathes netball, he is such a passionate player and at just 13 he has decided he wants to trial for the boy’s state U17 squad,” Ms Wilson said.
“This scholarship will help with the costs associated with this dream and the build up to Kruz achieving it.
“Kruz plays weekly with the junior M league and it’s great to see Netball SA creating more opportunities and pathways for First Nations players and boys in netball.”
Netball SA has advised all 14 recipients of their success in obtaining the first round of scholarships.
To read Netball SA’s First Nations Framework, click here.
