Netball New Zealand and Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) are joining forces to teach over 100,000 players a year how to improve their game and reduce risk of serious injury through a NetballSmart campaign. ACC is a New Zealand Crown entity responsible for administering the country’s universal no-fault accidental injury scheme.
It’s been estimated that around 30,000 netball injuries are costing the ACC $27 million every year. The new NetballSmart campaign aims to reduce the number of injuries through teaching warm ups and preparation techniques. The campaign aims the reduction to be as much as 50% in the case of serious knee injuries. With netball being the number one female participation sport in New Zealand, 96% of those injuries are accounted for by females.
The $2.4 million investment over a three-year period will enable Netball New Zealand to work directly with 100,000 players and more than 7,000 coaches every year.
Netball New Zealand will recruit and train specialist facilitators to deliver the NetballSmart warm-up directly to 19,500 girls in intermediate schools. In addition, mass warm ups will be led by specialist facilitators at seven Netball Centers nationwide prior to games, reaching a further 25,000 players in the intermediate school age group.
Through coach education workshops Netball New Zealand will reach a further 6,350 coaches and subsequently 63,500 female players across all age groups per year.
Netball New Zealand CEO, Jennie Wyllie, says:
“We believe based on the evidence available that by teaching the right warm-up techniques we can reduce serious knee injuries by up to 50 per cent. This will give girls the tools they need to stay injury free so they can enjoy life long participation in Netball and physical activity.”
Acting ACC Sports Injury Prevention Manager, John Lamma, says:
“New Zealand is a sporting nation and we want that to continue; we want kiwis to play the sports they love without experiencing the barrier of injury.”
