International Netball Federation (INF) has announced the winner of its Creating Choices competition. Claire Martin, from Marlborough, New Zealand has won a package for two to the Netball World Cup 2023 in Cape Town, South Africa including return flights, four-star hotel accommodation and two tickets for the duration of the competition.
The competition opened on the eve of the Vitality Netball World Cup 2019 as part of the launch of INF’s charitable campaign, Creating Choices, which took place at the iconic Liver Building in Liverpool, England. The launch was hosted by former International Netballer, Sharni Layton, and sports personality, Caroline Barker. INF Members and the press were also present.
The campaign aims to start a social movement to bring together netballers from all over the world to help raise funds and resources for grassroots netball. Financial contributions donated to the campaign will go towards developing grass-roots netball by helping to put a netball in the hands of young women and girls in disadvantaged or developing communities. Creating Choice’s ambition for the future of netball is a continued commitment to empowerment, through choices, opportunities, connections and communities.
The winner was chosen for her motivational response to the tie-breaker which captured the essence of the Creating Choices campaign: “I choose netball because it has given me the confidence to take challenges head-on and grab rare opportunities.”
Winner of the competition, Claire Martin, spoke to INF commenting: “My initial reaction to the congratulatory email was disbelief and scepticism but when an INF representative confirmed I was the winner, I was in complete shock and it’s taken a while to process the fact I’ve won such an incredible prize. The first person I called was my Mother; the who, how and why to my love of netball and the one that will be joining me on this experience of a lifetime.”
Claire adds, “Netball has brought me so many opportunities, the greatest of those being lifelong friendships and providing a sense of belonging. Creating Choices is working towards connecting our global community to provide funds and resources for grassroots netball and entering this competition was a bonus of donating to a cause that represents my values and interests. I can’t wait for Cape Town 2023.”
Sue Taylor AM, INF Vice President and lead of the INF’s charity working group adds: “Creating Choices harnesses the power of passionate, committed, and inspired individuals, coming together to make life better for themselves and others. Since July 2019, our online community is helping to build a global village of women and girls who are empowered, passionate collaborators, determined to make a difference to the sport they love. I’d like to congratulate Claire Martin on winning the competition and for contributing to the campaign and joining the movement by sharing how netball has changed her life. Creating Choices is all about creating opportunities and this competition has just done that. I’d also like to thank all of those who entered, your support and commitment to the sport has not gone unnoticed.”
Netball South Africa was announced as host for the 16th staging of the Netball World Cup in 2023. The tournament will be held in the International Convention Centre in the heart of Cape Town, widely renowned for its international reputation in hosting sports and other major events. The Netball World Cup 2023 is the first time the Netball World Cup will be held on the African continent and shows the development of netball across Africa and around the world. Following Africa’s success at the Vitality Netball World Cup 2019, the World Cup in 2023 is set to be a celebration of the game, culture and development of the sport in recent years.
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Watch the interview between the Creating Choices competition winner, Claire Martin and netball legend, Irene Van Dyk here.
To donate to Creating Choices head to www.creatingchoices.org
