Clinics aim to attract new players

Students at St Anne’s Primary School were given tips on shooting hoops during a netball clinic aimed at introducing the sport to regional kids.

The clinic was also run at Harvey Primary School and an after-school session was held at the Harvey Recreation and Cultural Centre.

Netball WA regional development coordinator Lana Bowers said the school clinics were aimed at providing a fun environment to encourage and enjoy sport.

“We hope to encourage participation in the sport, boost junior fitness, and get kids active,” Ms Bowers said.

Harvey Netball Association vice president and community development and engagement officer Louisa Sgambelluri said she hoped the clinics would help children and their parents realise they did not have to go to bigger towns to play the sport.

“We haven’t been able to have a junior team compete for the past few years, because we haven’t had the numbers,” Mrs Sgambelluri said.

“We’re hoping to have a team in this year’s competition, but also to just get kids involved in the sport.

“The teamwork and fitness – it’s a life skill.”

Mrs Sgambelluri said she hoped it would encourage more boys into the sport, a sentiment echoed by Ms Bowers.

“We definitely want to encourage the boys participating,” she said.