Netball Victoria provides scholarships and financial assistance to support local clubs and individuals across the state. One of these initiatives is named after its sole benefactor, Jean Cowan, who generously bequeathed funds upon her passing in 2010 for individuals to enable their participation in netball.
Cowan was heavily involved in netball, playing at the highest level from the 1930s to the 1950s, and later working as an administrator. She became the president of both Netball Victoria and Netball Australia, accumulating over 40 years as an official by her retirement in 1986.
Successful applicants of the Jean Cowan Bequest are provided financial assistance to purchase uniforms, equipment, membership fees, and other relevant expenses.
The most recent recipient of the bequest is Jane*, a mother of five, including four daughters who play netball in South Gippsland.
When both Jane and her partner’s long-term jobs were made redundant over the COVID-19 pandemic, she asked her local netball club for timely assistance, who suggested applying for the Jean Cowan Bequest.
“We were in a bit of financial hardship…and we couldn’t access any government support. They wouldn’t have been able to play this year had I not had some assistance,” Jane said.
Jane successfully applied to the bequest seeking financial assistance to cover her daughters’ membership, registration, uniform, and venue admission fees.
The support has not only been beneficial to Jane’s and her daughters, but also the small country netball club they play for. Without the family’s participation, it’s unlikely the club would have had the numbers to play netball this season.
“It’s been a real bonus for both of us,” Jane said. “It supports the local community if we enrol the girls in community sport to ensure things like netball can keep going.”
Since taking up netball in 2021, Jane's daughters have quickly fallen in love with the game and the social opportunities it provides, especially after the disruptions of COVID-19.
“They wanted to be part of a team and get back into sport,” Jane said. “With all the lockdowns last year, they wanted to get fit again, develop their skills, and stay active, and being part of a team in a small local community is really good for them…They absolutely love it.”
The girls are all thriving in a team environment and enjoy travelling to new towns throughout the region for games and making new friends.
Jane is grateful to the Jane Cowan Bequest and stresses the importance of such initiatives to provide all children the opportunity to participate. “When families are struggling, it’s really great for children to be able to play sport, stay healthy, and learn new skills. There’s a lot of kids out there who are really missing out, so this is an amazing thing through Netball Victoria.”
“Without the bequest, we definitely wouldn't be able to do it — we couldn’t afford to do it, that’s for sure. So this has been amazing that we were able to get this so they were able to participate.”
Apply for financial assistance supported by the Jean Cowan Bequest on the Netball Victoria website.
*Name has been changed for privacy reasons
