The Australian Sports Commission is working closely with Indian partners to conduct quality sport-based activities to increase participation in sport and physical activity in targeted communities through the Australian Sport Outreach Program (ASOP).

The ASOP is an Australian Government initiative that contributes to national development priorities by working to build the capacity of local organisations and individuals to use quality sport programs as a tool for social change.

Naz Foundation (India) Trust is using funding from the ASOP to run Goal: a unique netball-for-development program. Goal addresses prominent women’s health issues, particularly HIV and AIDS, by empowering adolescent girls through active netball programs. 

In August 2010, 25 young women, the Delhi Goal team and Goal coaches from Chennai and Mumbai participated in a netball coaching clinic at Thyagaraj Stadium, the state-of-the-art stadium constructed in New Delhi specifically for Commonwealth Games netball matches. The clinic was coordinated by Commonwealth Games competition managers with support from the International Federation of Netball Associations (IFNA).

The clinic comprised:

• a presentation of international netball rules
• a tour of Thyagaraj stadium
• video from the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games
• warm-up and stretching exercises
• match play.

ASOP India coordinator Vivek Ramchandani said the activities provided the participants with valuable insight into the way netball is played internationally.

‘Some coaches were not aware of the international-level rules of netball, whilst many of the girls, having only ever played on crude dirt courts in Delhi’s slums, were enthralled by the opportunity to play in a modern netball stadium,’ he said.

The clinic also focussed on improving skills and encouraging the participants to continue developing as netballers.

‘After visiting the stadium and getting all the tips on improving my game, I aspire to improve my netball skills,’ said Lakshmi from Jaitpur. ‘I now want to be identified as an athlete, as a netball player and I will no longer play only to make my parents proud but for myself and for my country.’

The ASOP will spend $5 million over five years to support grassroots sport-based development programs in India.