Sport
15 March, 2022
Natimuk sports club takes staying connected award
Natimuk United Football and Netball Club volunteers are commended by Good Sports for their passion to their club and community.
NATIMUK United Football and Netball Club has been rewarded for its efforts throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing lockdowns and has won the Good Sports’ Staying Connected Award.
Hosted by the Alcohol and Drug Foundation in Melbourne, the award acknowledges the Good Sports clubs and their volunteers who are passionate about their members, their community, and making their club the best it can.
Natimuk United FNC president Greg Radford said the club has never felt more connected following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s a reward for the effort of the whole committee. These things don’t just happen,” he said.
“We’ve worked hard as a committee to get to where we are and stay connected.
“It means a lot because we actually feel more connected now than we ever have, even before the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s been the real plus.”
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Natimuk United Football and Netball Club received $1000 for keeping members engaged and connected through creative initiatives such as online workouts, trivia nights and canteen fundraisers, despite remaining physically distant.
Natimuk United FNC secretary Shelly Stockdale said staying connected was the committee’s way of looking out for their members.
“We believed that staying connected during lockdowns was just an extension of the Good Sports values of creating a safe environment for our members and looking out for their health and wellbeing,” she said.
“Despite a tough 2021, we feel like the club is closer than ever through our lockdown activities and winning the Staying Connected Award has been the perfect way to celebrate our increased connection and the end of restrictions.”
Good Sports remains Australia’s largest community health sports program, making the Staying Connected Award the ultimate trophy for any Good Sports club.
Mr Radford said staying connected is a challenge for any club or group, however, it can be achieved with the support of the community.
“I believe our club’s inspiration really began to grow once we started to make posts of our mascot visiting our sponsors on social media,” he said.
“That kept our sponsors really included … and the junior club members loved it.
“Once that started, it sort of grew from there and found its own legs, and we just ran with it.
“It is a challenge to stay connected, and that goes for every footy club, netball club, or any other organisation. Fortunately we worked hard enough that we’ve ensured that and, now, we’re just inspired to keep moving forward.”