The final Victorian recipients of the 2026 Woolworths Netball Grants have been announced, with Eastern All Abilities Club and Belle Vue Panthers each receiving $2,000 to support their clubs and local netball communities.
Both clubs are creating more opportunities for people to participate in netball, while helping to make the game more accessible and affordable for their players and families.
Eastern All Abilities Club
Eastern All Abilities Netball Club is continuing to build a welcoming and inclusive netball community, providing people with mild intellectual disabilities the opportunity to play netball in a safe, supportive and friendly environment.
At the heart of the club is a strong sense of belonging, with friendship, teamwork, encouragement and having fun just as important as what happens on court.
“What makes our Club special is the sense of belonging we have created. Our players are not just members of a team — they are part of a community where friendship, teamwork, encouragement and having fun are just as important as playing the game.”
Over the past 18 months, the club has grown significantly, with new players joining, making friends and developing their confidence through their involvement in netball.
“Over the past 18 months our Club has grown significantly, and seeing new players come into the Club, make friends and develop their confidence has been incredibly rewarding.”
The club was thrilled to be selected as a 2026 Woolworths Netball Grant recipient, with the $2,000 funding providing valuable support as it continues to grow.
“We were absolutely thrilled. To be recognised by Woolworths and receive a $2,000 grant is a wonderful acknowledgement of what our Club is trying to achieve.”
The grant will be used to purchase new club uniforms and sporting equipment, while also helping to reduce the need for registration fees to increase. For a growing club, this will help keep participation affordable for players and their families.
“We will use the $2,000 to purchase new Club uniforms and sporting equipment and at the same time reduce the need to increase Registration fees.”
Keeping costs manageable is an important focus for Eastern All Abilities, particularly as the club continues to welcome more players.
“Our biggest challenge is keeping participation affordable while our Club continues to grow.”
With many players and their families facing financial pressures, the funding will help the club continue providing access to uniforms and equipment without passing those additional costs on to families.
“Many of our players and their families face financial pressures, so we are conscious of keeping Club costs as manageable as possible.”
The grant will ultimately help Eastern All Abilities continue creating a space where players can enjoy netball, build friendships and feel connected to their wider community.
Belle Vue Panthers
For Belle Vue Panthers, a love of netball has grown into an opportunity to help more girls discover the sport.
The club was established in 2022 after a school netball team reached the finals despite none of the girls having played the game before. Further research revealed that only one girl in the whole school played sport outside of school, with cultural, financial and transport barriers identified as some of the challenges preventing girls from getting involved.
The idea for the Panthers was born from a desire to change that, with the club applying for grants, finding a sponsor and fundraising to create a team that girls could play in on the weekend.
The players quickly embraced the opportunity, training every recess and lunchtime, while a female teacher helped transport a group of girls to games each week.
By 2024, the club had grown to two teams, with both the Under 13 and Under 15 teams going on to win their grand finals.
Since the Panthers were established, their impact has extended beyond the netball court, inspiring more girls at the school to participate in netball and other sports.
“Girls at our school are inspired by the Panthers. Since the establishment of our club many girls have taken up, not only Netball but other sports.”
The school is made up mostly of Muslim families, and the club has seen a noticeable change in attitudes towards girls participating in sport.
“Our school is made up of mostly Muslim families. Traditionally girls are not encouraged to play sport. There has been a noticeable change in attitudes since the Panthers were established.”
The Woolworths Netball Grant will help the Panthers continue providing these opportunities, with the $2,000 funding going towards court fees and helping the club remain in the competition.
“We will use the $2000 to pay court fees so we remain in the competition.”
For the Panthers, keeping the club running each season can be a financial challenge, making the support provided through the grant particularly important.
“Each season is a struggle for us financially. Receiving this grant will enable us to continue into 2027.”
The funding will help the club continue giving girls the opportunity to participate in sport, regardless of their family’s financial circumstances.
“I believe all children should have the opportunity to play sport, but for many families the cost is simply too much. Grants such as the Woolworths grant enable clubs to give that opportunity to all children.”
Congratulations to Eastern All Abilities Club and Belle Vue Panthers on being named the final Victorian recipients of the 2026 Woolworths Netball Grants.
