By Georgia FreeWednesday 15 Jun 2022Hope DriveLifestyleReading Time: 2 minutes
Weekend sport, whether it’s soccer, footy, cricket or netball, is a staple of most Aussie households. After two years of cancellations, it’s great to see community sport once again in full swing. However, netball is one of the sports that was hit the hardest throughout the pandemic, and many local clubs need help getting back on their feet.
Giants netball star wing defender Amy Parmenter joined Hope Drive to share how netball clubs can access financial assistance through Woolworths’ Pick Fresh Play Fresh Program.
“All NetSetGO clubs can apply for [these grants]. There are $10,000 and $5000 grants to help upgrade facilities and help with netball activities,” Amy said.
Although Amy is now a veteran of Australian netball, recently celebrating 50 National League games, she has fond memories of community netball and says it’s important for children to have the experience of playing a team sport.
“I really miss those days being down at the courts with all your friends, learning the rules of netball.”
Giants headed to finals
Although local netball clubs are barely halfway through the season, Suncorp Super Netball is rapidly approaching the end of the season, with the finals campaign beginning this week.
Giants finished third in the regular season, meaning they will host a must-win semi-final against the Collingwood Magpies this weekend – a privilege which after two seasons playing in Queensland Amy doesn’t take lightly.
“I will never again take it for granted being able to play in front of my family,” Amy said.
“There’s nothing better than when you have a bad game, being able to go home and be around your support network.
“That’s something that I’ll treasure for the rest of my career.”
Tie dying for a cause
Off the court, Amy uses her time to raise funds and awareness for cancer research, after losing her mum to mesothelioma in 2013. In 2017, she founded The Tie Dye Project – selling tie dyed items such as shirts and netball bibs to help in the fight against the disease.
“At the time I was feeling super helpless and just wanted to do something to help so we started tie dying all the white tops we could find from Kmart and Target,” Amy said.
“It’s really just taken off from there.”
Listen to Amy Parmenter’s full interview on Hope Drive in the player above.
Head to Pick Fresh Play Fresh website to apply for a grant for your netball club. Applications close June 19.
Giants will take on the Collingwood Magpies in the Super Netball Semi Final this Sunday, 4pm, at Ken Rosewall Arena in Homebush.
Feature image: GIANTS Netball Facebook