The Netball NSW Foundation is proud to announce a new Impact Partnership with The Embrace Collective, bringing together two organisations committed to improving the wellbeing of young people through community sport.
The partnership marks a significant step forward in strengthening community sporting environments that help more young people learn to move, nourish, respect and appreciate their bodies.
As one of Australia’s largest participation sports for girls and women, netball has a unique opportunity to positively influence how young people see themselves and experience sport. Together, the organisations aim to empower players, coaches, parents and volunteers with the tools and understanding to foster supportive environments that prioritise wellbeing, confidence and belonging.
The partnership reflects a shared belief that community sport should be a place where every young person feels safe, supported and empowered to participate without fear of judgement or pressure around appearance.
Through shared initiatives in awareness, education and practical support, the Foundation and The Embrace Collective will collaborate in 2026 and beyond so more young people feel confident, included and valued for who they are, both on and off the court.
Executive General Manager - Communities of Netball NSW, Trish Crews, said the partnership represents an important investment in the long-term wellbeing of young people in our sport.
“Netball offers an incredible environment for nurturing the confidence, connection and self-worth for hundreds of thousands of young people each year.
By partnering with The Embrace Collective, we are strengthening our commitment to providing netball as a positive place where young people can develop healthy relationships with their bodies and themselves, as well as their peers”.
The Co-Executive Directors of The Embrace Collective, Taryn Brumfitt and Dr Zali Yager, agree that partnerships like this play an important role in creating meaningful cultural change.
2023 Australian of the Year, Taryn Brumfitt, says:
“Sport is one of the most powerful spaces in a young person's life. When young people feel supported and valued for what they can do, not how they look, they stay in the game longer and they enjoy it more. This partnership with the Netball NSW Foundation is about making that the norm, not the exception. We are not adding a wellbeing layer on top of netball. We are changing the culture of netball from within."
Body image research expert, Dr Zali Yager, says: "Research consistently shows that there are small things we can do at the team, club and association level that make a big difference for young people. Partnering with Netball NSW Foundation means we can put this research into practice at the scale that actually creates change — thousands of players, coaches, and parents, all at once."
Research shows that young people are more likely to keep participating in sport and physical activity when they feel safe, supported, accepted and valued. Together, the Foundation and The Embrace Collective are committed to supporting young people by providing netball as a place that achieves just that, for generations to come.
In July 2026, the partnership will kick off in-person with FREE activations and resources for thousands of young players from all over NSW as they come together for the 2026 HART Junior State Titles.
For more information on the Netball NSW Foundation and this Impact Partnership, please contact Janyne Hogan – Head of Foundation via email – foundation@netballnsw.com
For more information on The Embrace Collective, visit: theembracehub.com
