NSW Swifts and Giants Join Reclaim the Game Initiative
The NSW Swifts and Giants have recently announced their partnership with the NSW Government’s Reclaim the Game initiative. As part of this collaboration, the two netball teams have committed to rejecting sports betting sponsorship for the next two years. Additionally, they will raise awareness about the potential harms of gambling through various channels, including messaging at home games and on digital and social media platforms.
Reclaim the Game is a collaborative effort involving 13 partners across 18 teams in six different sporting codes. These codes include netball, AFL, A-League, cricket, NBL, and NRL. Since its launch in 2020, the initiative has successfully reached millions of sports fans through over 260 games, broadcasted on television and held in stadiums.
Minister for Gaming and Racing, David Harris, expressed his enthusiasm about the Swifts and Giants joining the Reclaim the Game initiative. He highlighted the importance of these partnerships in raising community awareness regarding the potential harms associated with sports betting and gambling. The minister emphasized that supporting your favorite team does not require placing bets and encouraged fans to develop positive associations with the sport.
Netball is one of Australia’s most popular sports, with over 1.2 million players nationwide. It is particularly popular among female athletes. The new partnerships between Reclaim the Game and the netball teams come at an opportune time, as women’s sport experiences a surge in community interest. This is evident from the record nationwide participation in netball and the recent victory of the Diamonds at the World Cup in South Africa.
These collaborations with the Swifts and Giants Netball teams aim to engage their extensive young fan base, ensuring they are shielded from betting advertisements and can form positive connections with the sport. Elite players serve as role models for young athletes and fans, and it is crucial to protect their innocence and foster a healthy sporting environment.
Netball NSW CEO, Tracey Scott, expressed her delight in welcoming the Reclaim the Game initiative to the netball family. She emphasized the significance of reconnecting fans with their love for the sport while simultaneously educating them about the potential risks associated with gambling. As the most popular community sport in the state and the leading elite female code, netball is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all participants to enjoy the excitement of the game.