The Hon Anika Wells MP

Minister for Aged Care

Minister for Sport

Alicia Payne MP

Member for Canberra

MEDIA RELEASE

5 December 2024

$1.75 million grant to support more women and girls to get into sport in Canberra

Women and girls in Canberra will find it easier and more enjoyable to play sport and be active as a result of a $1.5 million grant to South Canberra Netball Association and $250,000 grant to ACT Netball Association.

South Canberra Netball Association and ACT Netball Association were selected to receive the funding under the Australian Government’s $200 million Play Our Way Program. This program is designed to remove barriers, address discrimination and promote equality for women and girls to participate in sport and physical activity.

South Canberra Netball Association will use the money to expand their netball courts with modern and inclusive facilities to increase participation and positive experiences for women and girls. They will build four new covered courts to meet current unmet and future demand, improve access and provide a welcoming, safe environment for their players and wider community.

ACT Netball Association will use the money for a roof replacement project for their indoor netball facility, that was

South Canberra Netball Association and ACT Netball Association are two of the 166 groups around the nation selected to receive Play Our Way funding for new or modified facilities for women and girls across a range of sports.

Funding will complement the $55.6 million offered to 124 organisations under Stream 2: Participation and Equipment, and will be offered nationwide, with a focus on facilities for women and girls who face additional barriers to participation. This includes women and girls who have a disability, are First Nations people or from culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Sport, Anika Wells:

“Play Our Way is all about creating greater opportunities for women and girls to have an equal chance to get the fun, satisfaction and health benefits sport offers.

“The huge response to the grants, and the range of great project ideas, show that Australian communities want to be more supportive of women and girls.”

Quotes attributable to Alicia Payne MP:

“Congratulations to South Canberra Netball Association and ACT Netball Association on their successful applications for this grant.

“Netball is an incredibly popular sport in Canberra and is now the second most common activity for women and girls aged 15-24. It’s so critical to have facilities that cater to the needs of local teams and ensures that more women and girls can get involved in the sport they love.

“These projects are much needed and will have a broad reaching positive impact in our community.”