The Suncorp Super Netball competition will turn purple this weekend as the league celebrates Confident Girls Round.
The signature round is a key part of fundraising for Netball Australia and the league’s official charity, the Confident Girls Foundation.
Spearheading the fundraising efforts will be Confident Girls Foundation ambassadors Sam Poolman (GIANTS), Laura Scherian (Lightning), Courtney Bruce (Fever) and Caitlin Thwaites (Vixens), who will each lead a team of Suncorp Super Netball players in an ambassador versus ambassador telethon competition to raise the highest amount to help vulnerable girls and their communities overcome gender, social, economic and cultural barriers.
Those who donate throughout the telethon will not only get the opportunity to chat with stars including Jo Weston (Vixens), Ash Brazill (Magpies), Karla Pretorius (Lightning) and Stacey Francis (Fever), they will go into the draw to win a one-hour online coaching session with newly-appointed Origin Australian Diamonds coach Stacey Marinkovich.
The telethon will be hosted by two of netball’s biggest names, Sharni Layton and Sharelle McMahon, and be streamed live on the Suncorp Super Netball Facebook page from 6-7pm on Saturday.
Confident Girls Foundation ambassador, Sunshine Coast Lightning and Origin Diamonds player, Laura Scherian is looking forward this weekend’s fundraising action.
“This Saturday is the International Day of Charity and we’re excited to raise as much money as we possibly can for the Confident Girls Foundation to help young women around Australia who might be doing it a bit tough” she said.
“We’re a competitive bunch and each ambassador will want our team to win the telethon by raising the most money so we’re looking forward to taking calls from netball fans from all over and hopefully having an enormously successful weekend of fundraising.”
Netball Australia’s Principal Partner Suncorp has thrown their support behind Confident Girls Round by pledging $50,000 to the Foundation, to help fund their key programs.
Lisa Harrison, Suncorp CEO Insurance Product and Portfolio, spoke of the importance of the activities that the Confident Girls Foundation supports.
“Team sports can have an incredible impact on building a young person’s confidence. We have seen this firsthand through the Suncorp Super Netball and Team Girls program. Now more than ever we need to be helping kids across the country to enjoy the benefits of sport and are proud to once again get behind the Confident Girls Foundation and the valuable work they do in encouraging a positive network where girls feel supported, confident and connected through netball.”
Confident Girls Foundation CEO Nadine Cohen thanked the league for its ongoing support.
“The Confident Girls Foundation and girls, women and their communities across Australia continue to benefit from the incredible support Suncorp Super Netball shows during Confident Girls Round each year,” she said.
“These efforts and subsequent funds go a long way in helping the Foundation ensure we’re able to support girls within the Australian netball community facing adversity. Money raised provides engagement and leadership programs with a focus on helping girls overcome barriers to social and economic opportunities, both on and off the court. We want girls to recognise that they have the skills and capabilities to achieve their dreams.
“I’d also like to thank Suncorp, Woolworths, Telstra, Game Clothing, the Australian Sports Foundation and PTP Fitness for their support of this event.”
The Confident Girls Foundation works with grassroots service providers to develop and implement programs aimed at creating more opportunities for girls going through adversity.
Through netball, the Confident Girls Foundation is creating opportunities for girls to come together and build confidence, leadership, acceptance, and a sense of belonging, transforming confident girls into confident women.
Since its inception, the Foundation has supported 73,774 girls, women and their communities, granted $1,638,526 and delivered 862 programs in 433 Australian locations, with more than 50% in regional and rural communities. For more information on the Confident Girls Foundation visit telethon.confidentgirls.com.au
