Gunnedah and Tamworth Netball Associations have another year of sponsorship from the Greater Bank to help their players with gear and travel costs.
Speaking to the New England Times, Melissa Bolsom, a committee member for the Tamworth Netball Association, said the sponsorship is vital for their junior players.
“We are very thankful the Greater Bank has come on board and look forward to the continuing partnership,” she said.
“Being in a rural community, we can be a bit disadvantaged sometimes, not being on the doorstep of opportunity like Sydney girls.”
The sponsorship is aimed toward Tamworth’s three rep teams, the 12s, the 13s, and the 14s. It provides equipment, balls, bags, and more for the 12 girls on each team. Overall, roughly 36 players and coaching staff benefit.
However, Melissa says arguably the most important aspect is the decreased travel costs because “without our major sponsors, it’s very costly to go to events.”
“The sponsorship provides our juniors with less cost when they head down to the state championships in Sydney for three days,” she said.
“That’s the main point: Help our junior netballers cut down on the costs associated with travelling.”
To her knowledge, the sponsorship has been in place for quite a while, at least since her own daughter started playing six years ago. Melissa says all the sponsors are vital for the association to help keep costs down for the players.
“Greater Bank looks after our juniors and West Tamworth Leagues Club helps our senior rep team, among several others,” she said.
“Without them, I don’t think we would be able to have such a successful group of players.”
According to Melissa, the Tamworth Netball Association has always “done quite well,” in competition. The 15s team even won the State championships last year.
“We do quite well and always seem to be up in the mix of things. State is a great chance for the girls to grow and learn more on the grander stage in Sydney,” Melissa said.
“We have a few girls at the moment who are representing the region in the regional league team, and we have a very talented group of up and-comers as well,”she added.
Greater Bank Committed to Regional Sporting Groups
In a post on its website, Greater Bank says it’s “committed to forming meaningful relationships with the community organisations we support.”
“That’s why we support a netball pathway that provides young athletes with the opportunities they need to grow and develop in the pursuit of playing professionally.”
In particular, the bank says regional netball associations are the “backbone of netball in NSW, providing a space for amateurs and emerging athletes to improve their skills, stay healthy and have fun.”
Greater Bank Regional Sales Manager Will Boyd said seeing so many people get involved in local sports instils a sense of pride.
“The great thing about netball is that it provides a social outlet as well as the chance to get some exercise,” he said.
“If you head down to the courts the smiles say it all, and we’re very proud at Greater Bank to be part of this community.”
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