Netball NSW has helped foster belonging, participation and opportunity for migrant women and their families in Griffith through a four-week netball clinic designed specifically for women from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds.
Delivered in partnership with Intereach and its Settlement Engagement and Transition Support (SETS) program, the mother–daughter clinic brought new migrant families together each Thursday for an hour-and-a-half session focused on learning netball skills, building relationships and supporting settlement into regional life.
Netball NSW Inclusion Lead, Achol Juk, identified the need for the program while Netball NSW Regional Manager Amanda McLachlan led the program on the ground, working closely with Intereach to engage families who are new to Australia and still finding their feet.
“The purpose of the program was really about helping women and their children feel welcome and included in the Griffith community,” Juk said. “Sport is such a powerful way to break down barriers, especially for families who are navigating a new country, a new language and new systems.”
The clinic attracted women and girls from a range of backgrounds, including families who had recently arrived from Fiji. Attendance varied week to week as families balanced work, school and transport challenges, but the impact was immediate.
“Some of the women had played netball in their home countries, so there was an instant sense of familiarity,” McLachlan said. “But just as importantly, it gave them the chance to meet people, build relationships and feel part of the local area.”
The program also strengthened relationships between Netball NSW, Intereach and the Griffith netball community, creating a platform for ongoing collaboration. Intereach, a not-for-profit organisation with more than 50 years’ experience supporting communities across the Riverina-Murray region, played a key role in connecting families and supporting their participation.
“The partnership with Intereach has been fantastic,” McLachlan said. “They work so closely with refugee and migrant families, helping with schooling, healthcare and settlement, so sport becomes another way to support families as they adjust to life in Australia.”
The success of the clinic has already sparked plans for future initiatives, including a Harmony Day netball event in Griffith in March next year, which will bring together schools, families and community groups to celebrate cultural diversity through sport, food and dance.
“This was a small program, but the outcomes have been incredibly meaningful,” Juk said. “It shows how netball can play a role beyond the court – helping people feel welcome and supported in their new home.”
