Melbourne Vixens

Netball Victoria and the Melbourne Vixens back the NDIS

The Every Australian Counts campaign is thrilled to announce that Netball Victoria and the mighty Melbourne Vixens netball team have joined the campaign for a National Disability Insurance Scheme.

In announcing the partnership at the State Netball Hockey Centre in Parkville, the Victorian Minister for Community Services Mary Wooldridge MP displayed her netball skills with Vixens stars Tegan Caldwell and Kate Beveridge and local All Abilities players Robert and Prue Corfe.

Minister Wooldridge took the opportunity to reaffirm Victoria’s strong support for the introduction of a NDIS.

“Victoria has led the way, calling for an NDIS and establishing an expert taskforce to advise the Victorian Government. We are also putting our hand up to be first cab off the rank in trialing the scheme,” Ms Wooldridge said.

“For this once-in-a-generation reform to become a reality, we need to raise awareness in the community, so the support of the Vixens is very welcome.

“This is a great opportunity to drive a landmark reform that will benefit the entire Australian community as well as people living with disabilities, their families and carers.

“We want to ensure eligible people with a disability are entitled to receive the support they need, which is not dependent upon how, when or where they became disabled, as applies at present,” Ms Wooldridge said.

Netball Victoria CEO Leigh Russell said that Netball Victoria and the Vixens are proud to be actively involved in a number of programs that support people with disabilities such as the highly popular Access All Abilities netball program.

“Access to opportunities for sport and recreation for people with disabilities is absolutely vital to improved social inclusion but it is also leads to better opportunities for education and employment,” Ms Russell said.

“This means a healthier and more prosperous community which benefits all Australians.

“Netball Victoria is backing the establishment of a NDIS because we believe that people with disabilities are entitled to the same sort of opportunities that most Australians get to reach their full potential.”

The support of large organisations such as Netball Victoria and high profile athletes such as Kate and Tegan from the Vixens is vital to creating greater community awareness about the need for a NDIS.

Like Netball Victoria, if your organisation is committed to a better deal for people with disabilities and a fairer and stronger Australia, please email james.obrien@ndis.org.au to find out how you can suport this important campaign.