Sarah Wall and Taylah Davies spark up netball in Lismore

“All they wanted was for us to visit their town, and invest time into their community”: A group of elite players and the Netfit Team drove three days from Victoria to do just that. Read their story.

Netball players from Maclean, Yamba, Casino, Lismore and surrounds descended upon the Marie Mackney netball courts in Lismore to share in a day of fun and fitness with two of Australia’s best known names in netball.

After floods destroyed the Lismore clubhouse along with their canteen and equipment the club reached out to the wider netball community for support.

Netfit Netball founder and National netball champion, ex-Sydney Swift, Giant and Vixen, Sarah Wall said she reached out to fellow Lismore netballer Alana Turner to ask what they could do to support the Lismore and District Netball Association.

“Alana said there was a lot of support coming from the netball community all around Australia and what they really believed they needed was a day for the kids,” Ms Wall said.

“Something that would give some spark and hope so we’re putting on a 9-3 school holiday clinic.

Former NSW Swifts, Giants and Vixen national netball champion Sarah Wall sparking up local netballers in Lismore. Picture Cath Piltz

“It’s about the kids, first and foremost and getting them back into a normal routine,” the National champion said.

Although the support of the local netball community will always be, sometimes a “spark” is needed to get going and to let people know that life can go back to normal again Ms Wall said.

“Kid’s are really resilient and can bounce back and as adults we can learn a lot from them,” she said.

“But they do still need that support and I think when a community has gone through what it has I think small mini things like this today will add up to rebuilding their confidence again.”

Events and communities manager for Netfit and previous player for NSW Swifts and Sydney Giants, Taylah Davies said the elite Netfit crew were in Lismore for a “pretty special reason”.

“They were really keen for us to do something fun and exciting for the kids, so we’re here to have a lot of fun, get everyone out on court and bring some much needed positivity to the local community,” Ms Davies said.

Amanda Davis from Tregeagle said the day was a “wonderful opportunity”.

“I’ve got four girls, two are here, and it’s great to get back out especially after everything that’s happened in Lismore,” she said.

“My daughter plays for Summerlanders, they were so excited to have Sarah and Taylah here – we jumped on it right away.”

Over 220 players ranging in ages from six to late teens learnt an array of match skills, fitness and game nutrition.

Lismore netball star Natasha Flanagan said the day was really well prepared.

“Everyone has had such a devastating six weeks, no sport no anything so I think it’s good to lighten up the spirits of everybody,” Flanagan said.

Fellow player Riley Alvos said the clinic is a good kickstart to the season that will start in around four weeks.

“It’s good to get us back into netball and take the positivity from it,” she said.