Shooting Stars is proud to announce that leading WA copper miner Sandfire Resources NL has joined as a new Community Partner of the program.
Sandfire, which operates the DeGrussa copper-gold mine north of Meekatharra, has committed $20,000 to Shooting Stars across the next year.
The partnership will directly fund the employment of a Shooting Stars Program Coordinator, to be based at Meekatharra District High School, as well as the associated cost of the role including sporting equipment, health and well-being activity costs and awards nights.
With responsibility for the development, coordination and delivery of the Shooting Stars program, the Program Coordinator’s primary aim will be to increase the overall participation and attendance of female students within their school.
Sandfire’s Chief Commercial Officer, Robert Klug, said the company was delighted to partner with the Shooting Stars program and make a contribution towards its continued growth in the Meekatharra region.
“We are very pleased to provide our support to this outstanding community initiative, which uses sport as a vehicle to encourage greater engagement and attendance at school for young Aboriginal girls living in remote regional towns,” Klug said.
“As a major employer in the Meekatharra region, we committed to supporting worthwhile community programs, particularly those aimed at the empowerment and betterment of young people.”
“Shooting Stars fits the bill in every respect and also provides an excellent opportunity for our staff to participate by visiting Meekatharra and seeing first-hand the benefits of the program in the community.”
Glass Jar Australia Executive Officer, Fran Haintz, said the partnership with Sandfire Resources NL would be critical in the delivery of the program in Meekatharra.
“Our Program Coordinators are the most impactful and important element of Shooting Stars and it’s wonderful to see Sandfire Resources recognise their significance through this level of support,” Haintz said.
“The ‘PC’s’ develop close working relationship with schools, local government and non-government sectors, key commercial stakeholders, local Aboriginal communities and Aboriginal Corporations and are an essential part of our overall success.”
“Without them, simply, the program could not run.”
Sandfire Resources NL staff also plan to visit the Meekatharra site to witness first- hand the program in the field and talk directly with participants about the positive impact of the investment.
An initiative of Netball WA and the Glass Jar Australia, Shooting Stars aims to use netball as the vehicle to encourage greater engagement and attendance at school of young Aboriginal girls living in WA’s remote communities and regional towns.
The program now engages close to 300 students across six delivery sites; namely Halls Creek, Derby, Carnarvon, Meekatharra, Wiluna and Mullewa.
To learn more about the Shooting Stars program, including information about making philanthropic and charitable donations, visit http://shootingstars.com.au/
Shooting Stars is proudly supported by the Australian Government.
