WaterAid’s Goals for Water fundraising challenge has wrapped up for another year. This year over 40 teams participated, raising an impressive $10,000 for lifesaving safe water projects that support women and girls living in some of the world’s poorest communities.
Goals for Water, which is run in partnership with Netball Victoria, invites netball teams from across Australia to dedicate a netball game to WaterAid. The more goals a team scores, the more money they can raise.
One of this year’s top fundraising teams was the Two Blues Hurricanes, a 13/U side competing in the Prahran Netball Association. The girls in the team decided to get involved because they wanted to do something for people less fortunate than them.
“We take it for granted that we have access to basic necessities in Australia,” parent Nicole Batagol explained.
“Our team is thrilled to be able to support communities who don’t have safe water and sanitation. It’s great to know that the money we raised will be used to improve the health of girls in Papua New Guinea, so that they too can achieve their goals,” Batagol said.
The Hurricanes scored 29 goals on their way to winning their Goals for Water match, and found the fundraising component made scoring goals extra motivating.
“The girls were very excited knowing that each goal meant more money for communities in need,” Batagol said.
A few generous supporters decided to chip in $5 a goal, helping the Hurricanes raise $1,161. The whole team contributed to this tally, with each girl receiving at least one donation, and most girls receiving a minimum of two!
“We also asked the sponsors to attend the match and cheer the girls on and had a very large support crew at the game,” Batagol said.
But not everybody was pleased with the team’s high-scoring performance.
“A pity you couldn’t have missed occasionally!” joked one of the supporters, who committed to donate a dollar per goal.
While Goals for Water is now completed for the year, netball teams can still get involved in fundraising for WaterAid by visiting bit.ly/fundraise-for-wateraid, or emailing events@wateraid.org.au
