Aust to support netball in Lae

By EREBIRI ZURENUOC
THE Australian government has announced its support for netball in Lae through funding and the presentation of equipment.
The Australian consulate-general (Lae) hosted the Lae Netball Fun Day at the Sir Ignatius Kilage Indoor Stadium on Friday.
Consul-general Paul Murphy said Australia was looking at developing netball in Lae and Papua New Guinea.
“The Australian Government, through its policy called ‘Pacific Step-up’, is interested in supporting netball in Lae, Papua New Guinea and in the Pacific,” he said.
“One of the elements of ‘Pacific Step-up’ is our sports diplomacy programme, which is about building links between Australia and PNG through sports.
“In particular, building links in sports that are common in Australia and the Pacific like rugby league, rugby union, cricket and netball.
“Netball is a priority because so many women play it and in Australia, it is the most successful women’s sport.”
Murphy said the Australian Government had already provided funding to support the programme in Papua New Guinea and the Pacific.
“There will more things coming up,” he said.
“For example with netball in Australia, they are looking at trying to get some PNG teams to play in the Queensland competition, like what happened with rugby league.
“Maybe the top-two teams from PNG can go to play in the Queensland competition.”
The Australian Government has allocated funding for the refurbishment of the Lae Netball Courts (outdoor), bought balls for the Lae Netball Association, pads for goal posts, bibs for players and shoes for the top team.
Lae Netball Association president Shirley Lung believes that through the partnership with the Australian government and others, the sport can grow in the province.
“We can get more girls and even boys to be involved in the sport,” Lung said.