The International Netball Federation approached Tarnside for support in laying the foundations for an ambitious new charity programme. It was clear from the outset that there was immense potential for the INF to do more good. Netball is played by c.20m people worldwide – mostly women – and is supported by a vast volunteer body of umpires, coaches and more. Netball develops physical fitness and teamwork, of course – but as a women-only sport with a global presence, it reaches women worldwide.
Tarnside pulled together an international team to suit this project, because of its global nature, with MBA graduates from the US and Europe supporting Patrick and the Tarnside team. We undertook benchmarking activity within the charitable sporting arena to understand potential funding structures, before developing a set of strategic options for the board to choose from. Once the board had reflected and selected their preferred option for developing, Tarnside created a business and fundraising plan setting out how the programme could be funded and delivered.
The International Netball Federation Board choose to invest further in their aims and in fundraising, and will be developing a charitable programme which encourages the socio-economic development of girls and young women in sub-Saharan Africa through netball. There is immense potential here, with netball developing natural women-only spaces where girls can learn about rights and their health, and giving young women the benefit of seeing healthy and independent role models in players and coaches. By its nature it relies on volunteer umpires and coaches, and training women to deliver this work in communities means the sport can spread out through communities.
Tarnside now helping INF recruit partners to support their monitoring, evaluation and delivery. The aim is to start delivering the programme in 2021: we are delighted to have played a part in this, and to see what it achieves.
“Netball has the power to change lives and inspire communities. The International Netball Federation promotes the empowerment of women and girls through its inspirational role models and award winning development programmes. We partner with governments, national sporting organisations and the sport for development community. Our programmes improve the health and wellbeing of their participants.”