Netball Victoria has reaffirmed its commitment to keeping netball free from the influence of sports betting, continuing its partnership with the Love the Game program.
As one of Victoria’s largest participation sports, with hundreds of thousands of players involved across clubs, associations and schools, Netball Victoria plays an important role in shaping the environment in which young people experience sport.
Through Love the Game, Netball Victoria is helping reduce the normalisation of gambling and protect young people from gambling-related harm.
Netball Victoria CEO Andrea Pearman said maintaining a safe and positive sporting environment for young people remained a priority for the organisation.
“Netball is built on strong community values, and we want our sport to remain a place where young people can participate and thrive without being exposed to gambling promotion. Our partnership with Love the Game helps clubs and communities across Victoria take a clear stand and ensure netball continues to be played for the love of the game.”
Love the Game is a Victoria Government initiative that supports sporting organisations to take actions that help reduce gambling harm by rejecting sports betting sponsorships and promoting education and awareness.
More than 500 sporting clubs and organisations across Victoria are now part of the program, working together to reduce young people’s exposure to gambling promotion, strengthen club policies and shift attitudes in sport over time.
What can netball clubs do?
Netball clubs across Victoria are encouraged to join the Love the Game program and become part of a growing network of clubs that put people before betting.
Signing up is free, easy and takes just two minutes.
Join Love the Game.
Clubs that join can access free resources, education tools and support to help promote a gambling-free environment and protect the next generation from gambling harm.
Together, Netball Victoria and Love the Game can ensure netball continues to be played for the love of the game, not the odds.
Anyone negatively affected by their own or someone else’s gambling can contact Gambler’s Help on 1800 858 858 for free and confidential support, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
You bet your kids are watching. Think before you gamble around them.
Children begin forming attitudes about gambling at an early age. When they are exposed to betting early, they are more likely to develop gambling problems later in life.
Betting ads and sponsorship in sport can make gambling appear normal and risk-free, but research shows parents and carers have the biggest influence on children’s attitudes.
Even when it may not seem obvious, gambling behaviour sends a message. Using betting apps while watching the footy or letting kids pick lottery numbers can make gambling feel normal.
What can parents and carers do?
There are simple steps parents and carers can take to help protect kids from developing gambling problems later in life.
Netball Victoria encourages parents and carers to:
- Think before you gamble around your kids. If you gamble, avoid exposing children to it.
- Don’t facilitate gambling. Avoid giving scratchies or lottery tickets as gifts, placing bets on their behalf, asking them to pick ‘lucky numbers’ or letting them access your online betting accounts.
- Talk to your kids about how gambling really works. Help them understand that gambling comes with risks and that people are more likely to lose money than get rich. Find conversation starters here.
- Model healthy behaviours. Choose activities that provide fun and excitement without the risks of gambling. You can also take the Love the Game Challenge to show kids that sport can be enjoyed without betting.
