Netball- The Aussie Introduce America to the Next Huge Sport

Look at me on the Red Carpet Folks!

We here at the Army are always up for a good time. And that is exactly what we got
Sunday, September 29th, when we  joined a host of Australian and International celebrities and entertainers as they brought awareness to the sport of Netball - a game that is highly popular abroad in countries like Australia and the United Kingdom and raise funding for their "Let's Move" program.
The President of Netball America, Sonya Ottaway, is hoping to bring the game to schools across the nation.  

• WHO: The event Sunday is featuring Australia's Justin Beiber - Australia's Got Talent Winner, Jack Vidgen; 2011 MO Award for Achievement of Excellence in Live Comedy, Jackie Lobe; Musician, Stephen Rowe; and Emcee/Comedian Brenda Lamberty. 

Steven Rowe

• WHAT: The event is benefiting Netball America's "Let's Move" Programs which champions active lifestyle for youth, fights childhood obesity, and creates healthy role models. Netball America is an official partner of the President's Challenge Program which supports the First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move! Initiative to to end childhood obesity within a generation

• WHERE: Taking place at the Australian Consul General Residence in Brentwood, LA

ABOUT NETBALL: Professional basketball players and high school physical education teachers are singing it's praises, particularly its emphasis on “Teamwork, Confidence and Health.” They see it as a boon to inter-city youths and people of any age.
"Netball is a recognized Olympic sport played in over 70 countries and enjoyed by more than 20 million people, it's about time America catches on” says Ottaway, President of Netball America. “It’s a fast, non-contact game based on the principles of basketball except there is no backboard and no dribbling or running with the ball. Players have just 3 seconds to pass the ball making it exciting to both play and watch.”
“The pros know that Netball is a wonderful alternative to those who don’t have the body or the brawn

So in the photo (L to R):

Suzanne (BH Times), Jack Vidgen (Australia’s Got Talent Winner), Betsy Johnson (friends with Suzanne), Callan Mcaullife (from the Great Gatsby, I Am Number 4), Karen Lanyon (Austrlaian Consul General), Stephen Rowe (stephenroweart.com), Sonya Ottaway (President, Netball America), Jackie Loeb (Comedian)

to compete on the hardwoods—it’s a competitive, yet non-aggressive environment,” Ottaway said, adding that her goal is to make the game part of the core curriculum in U.S. schools.
The sport has a big fan in Sancho Lyttle, a forward with the Atlanta Dream who was born in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines where Netball is popular. Another Dream Player, Aneika Henry, played the game in Jamaica. Netball's wide-ranging appeal is also attracting corporate sponsors such as Callidus Software, Advancial, Vitoria Sports, PowerIce, Knockout Sportswear, Interact Sport, and Gared.
Thanks to Netball's player-friendly rules—and Ottaway’s tireless promotion—Netball America is celebrating its five-year anniversary with teams now active in 28 states. The sport encourages kids and families, girls and boys, including those with disabilities, to exercise while being part of something fun.