Written by Amelia Barnes
For Jade Groves, netball is life.
The 12-year-old can’t get enough of playing her favourite sport, so she’s passionate about making the game financially accessible to all by supporting Netball Victoria’s community fund for people experiencing hardship, which, for the last 14 years has been known as the Jean Cowan Fund.
The fund is operated by Netball Victoria with contributions generously donated by members of the netball community to assist individual expenses such as uniforms and club fees.
Groves has raised over $1,300 and counting by designing and selling hoodies and t-shirts displaying her life motto, ‘netball is life.’
She explained the inspiration, “Mum watches this show, Ted Lasso, and one of the characters says, ‘football is life.’ So, I wanted to change that to ‘netball is life’, and we put it onto t-shirts and jumpers.”
Groves worked with Peach Promotions to design and manufacture the hoodies and t-shirts, which are available to purchase via their website. All profits are donated to Netball Victoria’s hardship fund.
The impetus for Groves’ fundraising was a school assignment on gender equality in sport.
Based on Australian Sports Commission and AusPlay data, Groves determined netball receives approximately $4 of federal funding per participant, compared to $41 per participant for rugby union, $19 for baseball, $15 for soccer, and $5 for gymnastics, among other examples.
Of these team sports, netball has the highest number of female participants.
This issue inspired Groves to spring into action, writing to the Prime Minister and Minister for Sport, in addition to creating the hoodies and t-shirts for sale.
Groves hopes to raise $10,000, allowing as many as possible to participate in the sport she loves so much.
“I love it. I completely love it. I don't know how to describe it. It's just amazing,” said Groves.
A predominant wing attack, Groves is at netball up to six days a week playing and training for South East Melbourne NC at Casey Netball Association; Mt Eliza Netball Club at Frankston & District Netball Association; and in the U13 representative team for Frankston & District Netball Association.
“I have a lot of friends all from different areas and schools and backgrounds,” she said.
Groves said it makes her very happy to know the money raised from her hoodies is helping other young people to participate and reap the benefits of sport.
“I’m very happy and proud.”
Shop Jade Groves’ Netball is Life Hoodie here.
Netball Victoria is committed to making our game accessible to all, and ensuring nobody misses out on participating in netball due to financial hardship. Through this fund, recipients will receive financial support for costs associated with participating in netball, which could include uniform, membership and club fees, and other expenses.
Tax-deductible donations can be made to the fund through the Netball Victoria website, or as part of the Netball Victoria membership registration process each year.
Find out about helping families and individuals to ensure there are no barriers to participating in our sport here.
