Netball: Wellsford scores big with ANZ

Wellsford Junior Netball Club. Photo / Supplied

The Wellsford Junior Netball Club's competitive spirit is strong this season.

After securing an ANZ Netball Grant worth $1200, development of the sleepy rural town's junior netballers is set to grow.

The grant, which includes 22 balls, bibs, gear bags and training equipment will mean the club can finally retire its worn out balls and bibs.

Club coach Stephanie McPherson says the new gear has helped the players get fired up for the season.

"It's awesome to be able to give the girls proper gear to learn the game with. Our bibs have been repaired so many times and the balls have all had it.

"We're so excited to start the season with this new gear. The girls are all fired up and ready to go."

This year ANZ is awarding a total of $100,000 in netball grants to help clubs, schools, social teams and fans achieve their dreams.

Charlene Morrison form ANZ Warkworth says the programme was launched in 2012 to support fans and help netballers get to the next level in the game.

"Netball is one of the country's most popular sports with tens of thousands of players at schools, clubs and social teams across the country.

"Wellsford Junior Netball Club has built up an impressive community of more than 72 players, and past representatives often return to coach or umpire. It's open to anyone in Years 1-8 and the many volunteers work incredibly hard each season to fund the equipment needed to play.

"Hopefully this grant means that junior netball continues to be such a popular sport in Wellsford, and that the girls feel rewarded for the all hard work they continue to put in.

"It's about inspiring players to go further. This might involve kitting out a team with new gear or uniforms, helping players get to an ANZ Championship match to see the action up close this season, or even getting a few professionals to visit their school or club to host a training session - that's bound to be a life-changing experience for some of our future netballing stars."

Applications to the ANZ Netball Grant Scheme are still open to all netballers and can be made at anzcourtside.co.nz until midnight June 7, 2015.