In a historic development, Netball NSW is today proud to officially launch the Netball NSW Foundation – a social impact initiative dedicated to amplifying the reach of the No.1 sport for women and girls across the state for generations to come.
Netball is present in every metro and regional community, and the primary aim of the Netball NSW Foundation is to harness the spirit of the game to empower the communities it serves, and to further cement it as a place to belong, a place to thrive and a place to unite.
In partnership with the Australian Sports Foundation, funds raised by the Foundation will deliver six impact programs aimed at ensuring the health and societal benefits of netball reach more people than ever before.
The programs will range from financial support to keep people involved in the game, to inclusive formats and cultural connection focusing on First Nations and Multicultural communities.
Programs will also be delivered to empower young people to find their voice and develop leadership skills.
The Foundation will support, educate and empower communities to navigate and overcome social issues impacting our everyday lives.
In 2026, the first areas of focus will be Mental Health, Body Image and the Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence.
As well as the Australian Sports Foundation, Netball NSW is delighted to welcome Tackle Your Feelings on board as a Strategic Impact Partner of the Foundation. This partnership will enable Netball NSW to bring free-of-charge mental health awareness and education workshops to participants all over the state.
In another exciting development, former GIANTS Netball captain and current NSW Swifts Specialist Shooting Coach Jo Harten BEM will come on board as a Foundation Ambassador.
Netball NSW CEO Tracey Scott said the launch of the Foundation was a momentous day in the organisation’s near 100-year history.
“In 2025 over 120,000 participants across all ages, genders and backgrounds registered to be involved in netball,” she said.
“No other sport in NSW delivers the same scale of impact when it comes to social connection, leadership and wellbeing.
“The Netball NSW Foundation represents our commitment to netball’s future and is grounded in the belief that netball is more than a game: it is a powerful force for good.
“Through donations and philanthropic investment, we will be able to create powerful, positive social outcomes for communities in every part of NSW.”
“By removing barriers, we are empowering the leaders of a more productive tomorrow, and this Foundation will enable netball to be fully part of a shared and prosperous future.”
Netball NSW Head of Foundation Janyne Hogan said she was excited to see what 2026 would bring.
“We know the netball community pulls together when hard times hit and we saw an example of this last year when we raised over $22,000 to help Associations affected by flooding in northern NSW.
“The Netball NSW Foundation will be driven by three guiding pillars which aim to help participants belong, unite and thrive in our game.
“It will elevate netball as a place that fosters belonging, life-long learning and collective unity.
“We are honoured to partner with the Australian Sports Foundation and Tackle Your Feelings who have been instrumental in the delivery of our first impact programs.
“Now we are ready to demonstrate the powerful difference that netball can make and why investment in it changes the lives of people from all walks of life for the better.”
To learn more about the Netball NSW Foundation, see how you can get involved or make a donation please visit here
