Following the first round of Strategic Development Fund (SDF) applications, World Netball (WN) has today announced the five Members that have been successful in securing funding.
During the application process, launched by WN in March 2023, 14 applications were received.
Following a vigorous assessment process by the SDF panel, WN is pleased to announce that Netball Argentina, Barbados Netball Association, Fédération Ivoirienne de Netball, Netball Fiji and Netball Northern Ireland have been successful in securing support from the SDF.
The funding is part of the Netball World Cup 2027 (NWC) legacy, and its purpose is to support Member nations with developing netball in line with the WN strategy, and the Members strategy too.
A variety of applications were received such as requesting support for funding for coach development, building netball awareness in new netball countries, governance, diversity and inclusion planning, and more.
The first successful Member, Netball Argentina, has been working not only to develop netball in Argentina, but also in other South American countries, and their application, backed up by a clear strategy, was for support to develop this work across a number of South American countries, with a focus on school PE teacher training and coach development.
Fédération Ivoirienne de Netball, one of WN’s developing Members, will be using their SDF support to work with WN’s Global Development Manager Joan Smit, to establish the Hub Sites model in country, which was first seen as part of the NWC2019 legacy programme, and has since had a significant impact on the growth of netball in Zambia and Argentina.
Whilst Barbados Netball Association’s proposal was to support their player pathway development, and Netball Northern Irelands’ proposal was to consult and develop a plan for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion using the ‘Moving to Inclusion’ framework from the UK Sports Council.
Finally, Netball Fiji will use its SDF support to develop a stronger governance structure, focusing on constitutional changes, plus policy and process improvements.
Speaking on the exciting news, World Netball’s Global Development Lead, Ivan Harré said: “I am thrilled that we have been able to announce the Members we will be able to support, thanks to the first round of Strategic Development Funding as part of the Netball World Cup 2027 legacy project.
“Under World Netball’s GROW strategy in its strategic plan, we set out to increase participation, reach, revenue and capacity, with an aim to facilitate deeper alliances across our Member nations and Regions, strengthening and supporting our diverse Netball Family, and this is just one part of this.
“I am looking forward to working with all five successful Member countries as on their journey of growth and development.”
The next round of applications will open in October, and WN will send more information to Members on the application process, including details of the application criteria, ahead of this.
To find out more are the SDF, click here.