Hurricanes Netball Club give back to families through You Grow Girl grant

The Hurricanes were one of 125 applicants awarded a $2000 grant from Woolworths and their grassroots programme You Grow Girl, an initiative designed to support netball clubs and associations across Australia.

The funds will be used to help financially disadvantaged families purchase netball shoes, with many athletes playing in handed downs that lack the support required for the sport.

The Hurricanes' club committee applied for the grant in October and were honoured to be awarded it from such a large pool of netball communities.

"Many of our families are at a financial disadvantage to the general community, and struggle to meet the costs of participating in community sports. This grant will take some of these financial pressures off [them]," Hurricanes vice-president Glenn Philip said.

"We plan to use these funds to help our financially disadvantaged families with the cost of purchasing netball shoes to ensure our athletes growing bodies receive the support they require when participating in a hard court sport.

"I'm sure this will also build their confidence and bring smiles to our young girls when taking the court."

The Hurricanes played their inaugural season at Tuggeranong Netball Association in 2020 and more than 40 per cent of players have Indigenous heritage or migrated from the South Pacific.

They wore uniforms designed by local Wiradjuri woman Kristie Peters of Yarrudhamarra Creations and incorporate a Hurricane design in Indigenous artwork.

"It's important that to support reconciliation with our Indigenous community, Hurricanes foster and acknowledge the rich culture that Indigenous children and their families bring to the sport," club founder April Costa said.

"Growing up around netball I've built the most beautiful relationships and supported many families and children from Indigenous backgrounds.

"I wanted to return the goodwill that these families had afforded me by creating a club that consistently demonstrates their appreciation of what these gorgeous children bring to the sport of netball when provided a safe and nurturing environment."