Shooting Stars has celebrated another milestone this week, with the 50th participant officially enrolling at the Carnarvon Community College.
Shooting Stars now attracts 51 students in Carnarvon, an impressive feat considering the program only began in term 1 of this year.
One of four delivery sites, Carnarvon’s rapid rise in numbers has propelled the total number of participants past 200, including students in Halls Creek, Derby and Meekatharra.
An initiative of Netball WA and 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.
Since the beginning of the year, Shooting Stars participants have increased attendance rates by an average of 6%, with 24 students averaging an increase of more than 20%, representing an extra day at school each week.
An encouraging foundation upon which to build according to Netball WA General Manager of Indigenous Programs, Fran Haintz.
“It’s been wonderful to watch the growth and development of these girls in such a short space of time,” Haintz said.
“We are beginning to see consistent indications of an increase in their self confidence and a willingness to contribute to their own success.”
“The challenge now is to not only ensure our current participants remain engaged, but also to continue to spread the Shooting Stars message.”
The Shooting Stars program now employs eight full time staff, three of whom are Indigenous.
Shooting Stars is proudly supported by the Australian Government.
