Blue Mountains Netball Association has been awarded $2000 from the Australian Sports Foundation to train people with a disability as coaches and umpires.
The grant will enable BMNA to hold training seminars so people with a disability can people can take on important roles and become role models to younger participants.
Sports Foundation chief executive Patrick Walker said monies awarded in this grant round will fund programs which encourage more adults to participate and experience the positive health and social benefits that sport provides.
“BMNA’s initiative stood out among the 500 grant applications we received, and we look forward to more local adults involved in netball soon,” said Mr Walker.
“Sport plays a significant role in bringing communities together and help us live more active and social lives.”
Recent research reveals that between the ages of 17 to 25 is when adults are at their most active with almost 30 per cent participating in sport, however that participation in sport drops dramatically with age. Only 16 per cent of adults aged 45 to 54 are participating in sport, this number is less for those aged 55 and above.
“This grant can effect change locally by getting more adults and parents to participate in sport. Consequently, they will become positive and healthy role models for children,” said Mr Walker.
For information on the Sports Foundation can be found at www.asf.org.au.