‘WE WILL FIGHT’
RAYS REACH OUT FOR SURVIVAL
WHEN Northern Rays coach Jillian Joyce thinks of her daughter’s netballing future, the long-term severity of the club’s situation really hits home.
Announcing on Sunday that the club is set to exit the newly formed Sapphire Series just four rounds in due to a dire financial situation, the Rays are pleading to the community to help save their club.
Joyce said the plight to secure the future of the competition’s only regional franchise would have a crucial effect on generations to come.
“I get upset not just for the girls this year, but I have a sixyear-old who needs that pathway, so when she’s 12, she doesn't have to be moved down south,” she said.
“It hits hard and hits home, and I put my soul and heart into it, so this is far more than just us not getting to run around on a Saturday.”
Knowing the club, which is an entity combined between Townsville and Mackay, was in trouble after being unable to secure major sponsors, Joyce said the severity came as a shock when Netball Queensland spoke to them on the weekend.
Believing they were about to turn the corner after an improved performance against the Brisbane North Cougars in Townsville, the Rays were informed they needed to raise some $80,000-$100,000 to keep their season alive beyond this coming weekend.
“We knew we didn’t have a major sponsor and were struggling with cash, but the severity of the action being taken (by Netball Queensland) was a shock,” she said.
“We knew we’d have to make sacrifices in training and travel and that’s what we were expecting the chat to be, so we didn’t expect Netball Queensland would tell us our participation would be suspended.”
Fighting back tears and “fighting hard” to secure the club their participation this weekend, Joyce said the club vowed to not give up, and by setting up a Gofundme page, rattling tins, selling raffle tickets and hitting the streets, were up for the fight.
Calling on the North Queensland community and businesses to band together, Joyce was hopeful funding would arrive.
“To be brutally honest, we need cash and we need smart ways of bringing that in, so if that comes from smaller amounts or from a fantastic business which will forever have the love and dedication of the netball community, we’re putting the call out to anyone that can help us.
“People power is amazing and I’m so proud of the players and how they have responded.
“They’ve decided they’ll fight this and together we’ll fall and together we’ll rise.”
Joyce said the club had already raised over $4000 of their $8000 Gofundme target and had secured $100 from a Port Douglas Resort, plus a $5000 holiday package to auction.
Players will hit the outdoor courts at Townsville Netball Association to hand out tickets and flyers at tonight’s junior and senior fixtures and have coaching clinics in the pipeline.
To assist, visit: gofund me. com/ f/ keep- northernrays-alive.
For sponsorship options, contact: northernrays@netballq.org.au