Shooting Stars have signed a partnership agreement with Netball South Australia and Suncorp Super Netball team, Adelaide Thunderbirds, to further strengthen the program within South Australia. The four Whyalla sites on Barngarla Country were launched in 2021 as the first interstate expansion sites for the program.
The partnership formalises the relationship between Shooting Stars and the Adelaide Thunderbirds, who have already visited the Whyalla sites to spend time with the Shooting Stars participants. The partnership will see Adelaide Thunderbirds players build strong and genuine connections with the Shooting Stars girls, whilst providing mentoring and development support.
Speaking ahead of the Adelaide Thunderbirds’ First Nations home game, Netball SA’s Acting CEO Nicole Fishers said “it’s great to continue to build on the connections previously established with the Shooting Stars participants in South Australia. We are pleased the Whyalla site participants could join us over this special weekend to spend time with the Adelaide Thunderbirds athletes and cheer us on at our last home match.”
Shooting Stars Executive Officer, Fran Haintz spoke of the partnership and how integral it is for the South Australia site.
“Shooting Stars is thrilled to cement our relationship with the Adelaide Thunderbirds after having worked with them since our Whyalla launch. Building strong relationships and supporting the Shooting Stars in Whyalla on their education journey will be a key element of the partnership, one that I know our Shooting Stars girls are excited about.”
The partnership has already started, with the Adelaide Thunderbirds hosting a group of Whyalla participants for an immersion session, which included breakout sessions and netball skills and drills. The session came ahead of the First Nations round game, where the Whyalla students cheered the Thunderbirds on at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre.
