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etball Australia has announced a one-year extension of its partnership with Woolworths, with Netball’s state-based member organisation and six of the eight Suncorp Super Netball clubs signed up until October 2021.

As part of the deal, Woolworths will focus on growing grassroots and community sport with grants programs supporting clubs and associations Australia-wide to be made available.

Netball Australia chief commercial officer, David Lee, said Woolworths has helped to support over 715,000 females that have played netball over the past two years, with nearly half under the age of 14.

“Woolworth has been an enormous supporter of netball now for more than three years and have most recently worked with us as a strategic partner to ensure the sport successfully rebounds and thrives past COVID-19,” Lee said.

“Woolworths have played a tremendous role in Netball Australia’s COVID-19 digital pivot, assisting the sport to engage grassroots communities throughout isolation and restrictions via online programs such as NETFIT and NetSetGo Playground.

“As the leading participation sport for women and girls, Netball Australia is currently part of an independent review that will guide our growth strategy through to 2027 and we look forward to aligning this work closely with Woolworths,” he said.

Woolworths chief marketing officer, Andrew Hicks, said Woolworths is committed to helping secure the success of netball through COVID-19.

“While the pandemic has changed how some communities connect, it’s important organisations like Netball Australia have the resources they need to continue supporting athletes during COVID-19 and ramp up at a local level when it’s safe to do so,” Hicks said.

“We’re thrilled to continue our partnership and work towards our shared goal of encouraging young Australians to live a more active lifestyle centred around fresh food and community sport,” he said.

As part of the partnership, Woolworths will continue as a Major Partner of the Origin Australian Diamonds.