The Southern Football Netball League has been announced as one of eight winners in the 2017 Australia Post One Netball Community Awards for their work in creating a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment through the game of netball.
Netball Australia CEO, Marne Fechner said “The Australia Post One Netball Community Awards are designed to recognise those in our netball communities who create a safe, inclusive environment for everyone, regardless of age, background or ability.
“Looking at this year’s winners, there are some special people using the power of netball to contribute something positive to their local communities.”
The SFNL was selected for embracing diversity and equality, particularly of the LGBTI+ communities, with the aim of reducing the impact that homophobia can have on mental health.
“We are absolutely delighted to be selected as a winner of the Australia Post One Netball Community Awards, it’s wonderful recognition that we hope will inspire other organisations. Recently we hosted a League-wide round dedicated to celebrating pride, diversity and equality, the prize money we receive from this award will be used to develop further important initiatives such as this,” League CEO David Cannizzo said.
Australia Post Chief Customer Officer and Acting Managing Director and Group CEO, Christine Corbett, said Australia Post is committed to contributing to a more inclusive Australia, and creating opportunities like these Awards to celebrate and shine a light on those who use the power of sport to build healthier and more harmonious communities.
“We congratulate all eight winners for the wonderful efforts and positive contributions to their local community. Associations like Southern Football Netball League play a vital role in our society in helping to create a more inclusive and accepting Australia.”
As part of the prize Southern Football Netball League will receive a visit from an Australia Post One Netball Ambassador to their club, a $1,000 Australia Post Load&Go Visa Prepaid Gift Card and a netball signed by the 2017 Australian Diamonds team.
The other winners of the 2017 Australia Post One Netball Community Awards include:
- Lauren Coelli, a member of Albury Netball Association (NSW/VIC)
- Blue Mountains Netball Association (NSW)
- Katherine Netball Association (NT)
- Robinvale Euston Football Netball Club, a member of Sunraysia Football and Netball Association (VIC)
- Townsville City Netball Association (QLD)
- Westside Netball Club, a member of Coffs Harbour Netball Association (NSW)
- Wests Netball Club, a member of Alice Springs Netball Association (NT)
Australia Post is the Community Inclusion and Diversity Partner of Netball Australia and the upcoming 2017 Fast5 Netball World Series. Australia Post and Netball Australia have partnered to deliver the Australia Post One Netball Program (One Netball) since 2014. The program aims to engage Australia’s increasingly diverse communities with the sport of netball and the message that everyone, regardless of background or ability, is welcome.
For more information or to learn more about One Netball, visit
www.onenetball.org.au. 
