Netball, b’ball receive grants

THE Australian High Commission announced a grant funding of almost K50,000 for the Port Moresby Netball Association (POMNA) and the Basketball Federation of Papua New Guinea (BFPNG) on Tuesday at the Rita Flynn netball courts.
Present to make the announcement, Australian High Commissioner to PNG, Chris Moraitis congratulated representatives of the two sports on the success of their applications and as awardees of the grants.
“The Australian Sports Outreach Programme (ASOP) Pacific Sport Development Grants continue to be a very popular grant programme for PNG.
“This year we received more than 20 submissions for ASOP funding for the 2009-2010 financial year and I was pleased to see a significant improvement in the quality of applications received,” Moraitis said in a prior release.
He also told those present at the courts that he was pleased that the two sports were worthy recipients, especially with the grassroots, youth, women and social development elements being a greater part of their plans.  
 “I am always happy to see local sports projects like these receive funding, particularly those that will improve the participation and capability of women and youth in sports”.
Approximately K40,000 will be provided to the POMNA to manage a one week advanced training and coaching clinic and refurbish and fit out a women’s gym at the Rita Flynn Netball Courts at Bisini Parade.
The BFPNG will receive approximately K8,700 to conduct a one week junior training clinic.
Moraitis said the Australian government was committed to continuing to assist development of sport in PNG.  
POMNA president Pole Kassman said they were pleased and thanked the Australian government for their assistance.
“The POMNA is very excited about this assistance. We are grateful to the Australia government for funding our projects and look forward to providing a range of beneficial and sustainable outcomes for PNG netball,” Kassman said.
BFPNG admin and development officer Ronnie Mea also expressed his appreciation as well.“This money will allow BFPNG to expand its existing skills training programme to include all our important junior players and at the same time teach them about the importance of fitness, health and hygiene in sport,” Mea said.
ASOP is an annual programme whose goal is to increase capacity to deliver inclusive sport-based programmes that contribute to social development.
ASOP PSDG provide funding to targeted small-medium size community sport development projects with up to A$150,000 available each year.