Local netball club gets much needed funding

The 2025 Woolworths Netball Grants winners have been announced, with Rutherglen Football Netball Club one of the select local clubs across Australia winning a $2000 grant. The Rutherglen NetSetGo program has expanded significantly in recent years and now includes 37 young girls from surrounding communities like Springhurst, Wahgunyah, and Corowa. What started as a modest program has evolved into a thriving hub of activity, friendship, and teamwork—supported by a dedicated group of 10 parent volunteers, including three volunteer coaches. This year, the Rutherglen U10s have been invited to join a formal weekly netball competition in Wangaratta, competing against larger, better-resourced clubs. The team has never had their own “official” uniforms due to funding constraints. The Woolworths Netball Grant will be used to help purchase proper netball dresses for the team, giving the girls a greater sense of pride, belonging, and club identity. Like many rural communities, Rutherglen has weathered its share of challenges—years of drought through the 2010s, the 2020 bushfires, and flooding in 2022 that completely submerged the town’s only netball court. Despite these setbacks, the club remains a vital community anchor, bringing people together and supporting the next generation of local netballers. Netball clubs and associations nationwide have the chance to secure a portion of $100,000 in grants thanks to the return of the Woolworths Netball Grants. The initiative is open to the many local netball clubs and associations across Australia, including those that operate a Woolworths NetSetGo centre, with an increased number of grants available this year. Woolworths has been a supporter of grassroots netball, in partnership with Netball Australia since 2019, donating more than $1.4 million to hundreds of clubs across the country largely through the allocation of Woolworths Netball Grants. These grants are designed to support local netball by promoting healthier eating habits and increased physical activity among young players. As part of an ongoing commitment to grassroots communities, the funds are intended to provide netball clubs the opportunity to upgrade or provide new facilities, equipment, uniforms or services, improve access to NetSet Go or improve nutrition for members. A key feature of the program is the return of the successful $20,000 People’s Choice Award, allocated to the club or association with the most votes. Now in its third year, the award encourages engagement among local members and supporters, bringing a sense of unity across the netball community. Netball remains the number one sport for women and girls in Australia, with latest AusPlay Data showing that over 315,000 children play organised netball out-of-school each year. CEO of Netball Australia Stacey West said netball is the number one sport for women and girls and their eight-year partnership with Woolworths has made a real difference to the sport at a grassroots level. "In 2024 we saw over 54,000 Woolworths NetSetGo registrations," she said. “Together, we are proud to promote healthy eating—especially for the future rising talent of Australia.” Clubs and associations across the country are encouraged to apply via https://woolworthsnetballgrants.com.au/, with applications now open until 29 August 2025.

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