COVID-19 continues to represent the single biggest challenge to community sport globally. Compliance with social distancing policies, strict return-to-play protocols, and COVID-19 specific training has, perhaps, for the foreseeable future changed the way we all engage in organised sport. While this time has been difficult for everyone, there have been some moments of clarity and insight that have come from the past 12-18 months.
President Clare McCabe said “this time has given us a chance to hit reset and remember what is most important to us as an Association. As a result, we were able to figure out how to operate in our new environment and refocus on what we love about our sport – friends, fun, teamwork, and competition. What we know is how important sport is for both our physical and mental well-being.”
Mens Netball NSW (MNNSW) acknowledge that in coming out of this pandemic, there may be some hesitancy for people to return to organised sport. As we commence our high performance journey to compete at the 2022 AMMNA Mens and Mixed Australian Championships, never has the environment around us been so difficult to navigate.
Choosing to trial to represent your State and being selected is one of the greatest honours bestowed on any athlete. Though, one of the key challenges for men’s netball remains, for the most part, that the individual athlete is required to pay their own way to attend any tournament.
For 2022, MNNSW has made the decision to significantly help it’s representative athletes. For all successful State representative players, the Association will contribute $200 per player to help them get to Adelaide. This represents the single biggest amount of financial support provided to Mens and Mixed played in NSW in recent years.
“It has certainly been disappointing and frustrating that MNNSW has not been able to attend the Australian Championships in the last 2 years. We have continued to work hard at creating a high performance environment for all athletes, officials and administrators and we really wanted to show our members that we are here to support them and give back to them” McCabe said. “We hope to see all our athletes return to trial and we are certainly feeling positive about the future of our sport”.
NSW State team trials are being held on 14 November 2021 at Hills District Netball indoor court from 9am. Check the website for more information about times.
We will be extending the time to nominate, with the deadline being Thursday, 11th November 2021 at 5pm.
To be eligible to trial, athletes must be fully vaccinated and be able to produce their certificate on the Services NSW app (or exemption) at the time of entering the stadium for selections.