The team was called Darlington Dingoes – a name proposed by
the kids during an ideas session for a team name. By 2005, the interest among
local girls and friends wanting to join a team and play netball had broadened
and, again with the support of parents, another team was created, beginning
competition last year.
The teams became Darlington Dingoes Black and Darlington Dingoes
Orange. The girls attend a range of schools in the local area: Darlington and Erskineville Public Schools, St. Mary’s Erskineville and
International Grammar School (IGS). They get together every Friday after school
and train at the Australian
Technology Park
court. The court area becomes alive with activity and excitement when we get
together on Fridays and take over this space for a couple of hours.
Previously the teams have raised with Council the lack of training
facilities for organized sports for women and girls. This is the end of the
teams’ third playing season and they are still working on Council to provide a
couple of netball courts for training – not just for these teams, but for any
local young girls and women who may want an opportunity to get a team together and
be part of an organized sport.
Everyone concerned is proud of both Darlington Dingoes
netball teams and the progress they have made in the competition in a brief few
years. Within two years of competition, both Darlington Dingoes Black and Orange teams made it to
the finals of their competition. This year the Orange
team made it to the grand finals, becoming the runners up of their division.
This has been achieved with limited facilities and without outside
funding/sponsorship.
All thanks goes to local parents for their support in
managing, organizing and coaching the teams. So, come on City of Sydney Council – give the
women and girls a go!
A call to the City of Sydney for local sports
facilities for women and girls. You recently opened a magnificent skate-board
facility in the area which, rightly or wrongly, is almost entirely used by boys
and young men. Here is a great opportunity to provide equal encouragement and
facilities for girls and young women. How about it? SSH
[Source – South Sydney Herald October 2006]