Two of South Australia’s top Woolworths NetSetGO centres have been named as finalists for the 2024 Centre of the Year Award.
The Port Lincoln Netball Association and Loxton Netball Club have both been selected as finalists after their submissions outlined their successes in 2024.
The Award was introduced in 2022 to recognise clubs and associations that have made significant contributions to the growth and development of junior netball in their community through the establishment of an accredited Woolworths NetSetGO Centre.
It provides tangible recognition for the efforts of individuals in improving and developing netball at grass roots level.
The winner will be named at the 2024 Netball SA Awards Gala on Friday, October 4.
The below submissions were made for the two clubs:
Port Lincoln Netball Association:
We experienced an increase of 20 players this year. It was a well organised and inclusive program led by six wonderful leaders (one from each of our six clubs).
These leaders followed the Net section of the Woolworths NetSetGO program. They divided the participants into small groups and led them through the sequenced program over 9 weeks.
The participants were provided with a fruit grazing table and fruit drink from Woolworths in Port Lincoln at the completion of the program. They also received their certificates and a Net medallion all organised by the leaders.
The participants were also provided with information about all six clubs in the association and were encouraged to join to take part in the Set and Go section of the program.
The program is organised and provided by each of the clubs in a 9/U program divided into 8/U and 9/U groups and caters for up to 120 players each week for 15 weeks with a training session at club trainings and a modified game each Saturday.
There was very positive feedback from many of the parents about how well organised the program was and the sequential process we adopted.
Loxton Netball Club:
Loxton Netball Club’s aim is to provide a supportive, fun, inclusive NetSetGO Program, with a touch of competitive learning through court time, for children in the Loxton District.
In 2024, we had 60 NSG participants, an increase of 18 participants in comparison to 2023. LNC divides the program into Net and Set who train together, and GO who train separately and are divided into teams who undertake game play each Friday as well as their training on Thursdays.
Our program was coordinated by Michelle Pannell, and conducted by numerous coaches both adults and juniors to ensure we have adequate player to coach ratios.
We run our training program on a Thursday night at the same time as football training to ensure good club morale and ease for parents.
We also offer kids eat-free with parent meals on Thursday nights and our participants get free oranges each week from our local Woolworths.
Our GO / U9 participants are also involved in inter club games on a Friday night, where they travel the Riverland to play against other clubs.
The club provides support and guidance to all coaches and umpires and uses our NSG program as a way to develop our umpires and coaches to progress into our higher grades and give them confidence for years to come.
We had feedback at the end of 2022 that by the time participants got to GO level they were looking for a more competitive program on top of their training and wanted to play against other clubs.
In 2023, under the guidance of our incredible volunteers, coaches and committee members, LNC restructured our NSG to incorporate game play opportunities for our GO participants.
This involved liaising with all Riverland clubs to create a GO / U9 competition to give participants game play opportunities.
LNC was the driving force behind making this happen and created a GO / U9 competition within the Riverland, which now has 13 teams in the competition, LNC having 4 of these teams.
LNC secured grant funding to buy all GO participants LNC playing dresses for them to wear on game day and provides each participant at the end of the season with a team and individual photo.
For a small country club, we believe the opportunities and quality of coaching our NSG participants receive is amazing. To see our participants follow on to playing U11’s with confidence and skill makes us very proud.
