A LOCAL football and netball club’s efforts to care for the well-being of its members and travelling competitors received Statewide recognition at the weekend.
The Mallee Eagles Football Netball Club was the joint winner of the WorkSafe Safety Initiative Award, announced as part of Netball Victoria’s Community Netball Awards.
The award, which the Eagles shared with the Boolarra Football Netball Club, recognises the club’s efforts to put measure in place following the death of footballer Jaron Bennett, who died at the venue during a pre-season training session in February 2015.
“I cannot believe that such a small club can be recognised in this way when you look at the number of clubs, leagues and players that make up Netball Victoria,” Mallee Eagles chairman, Geoff Kendell said.
“We were chuffed to be recognised as a finalist, but I’ll admit I was speechless when we were announced as a joint winner.”
During the past two seasons, club management have put measures in place to ensure the well-being of all players is paramount.
A defibrillator is now on-site at the Lalbert Recreation Reserve, with two Swan Hill-based nurses acting each match day as trainers for the football side.
First aid classes have been held to ensure a primary carer is available fir each netball grade, with speed humps installed on the road adjacent to the netball courts and the recreation reserve.
“The win is a fantastic recognition for the people who have worked so hard behinds the scenes,” Kendell said.
Meanwhile, Leitchville/Gunbower Football Netball Club was a finalist in the Inclusive Netball Community of the Year Award, taken out by Drouin and District Netball Association.
