They might play on opposite sides in politics but when it comes to netball and great causes, Nicole Lawder and Michael Pettersson are on the same team.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Ms Lawder, the Canberra Liberals deputy leader and MLA for Brindabella, and Mr Pettersson, the Canberra Labor backbencher from Yerrabi, have joined the attempt by the Tuggeranong Netball Association to bring he Guinness World Record for the most number of players in an exhibition match to the ACT and raise money for charity.
TNA are calling on all netball players, past and present, veteran or complete novices, to help beat England Netball's current record of 1322 players, set in March, 2016.
The two MLAs have started training for the TNA Turns Pink event, to be held on Saturday, June 17 at the Tuggeranong Netball Centre in Calwell, which will run for 10 hours from 8am to 6pm and also raise funds for charities breast cancer support group Bosom Buddies and Red Nose (formerly SIDS and Kids ACT).
"I've always known that netball requires a key set of skills to play properly, especially when watching my grand-daughters play, so to have the chance to be prepared for TNA Turns Pink is an opportunity I couldn't resist," Ms Lawder said.
"To play netball with my family and support two worthy causes – supporting women affected by breast cancer and helping find a cure for sudden infant death syndrome – is why I'm playing netball rather than just watching from the sidelines."
For Mr Pettersson, has played a bit of social netball.
"Bosom Buddies and Red Nose are great charities so I jumped at the opportunity to help raise awareness and funds," he said.
"It's going to be a great day. We're going to play netball, raise money for local charities and take a world record off the Poms."
"I've only played netball a handful of times but I think I have a natural talent for it after our first training session."
"It's also an opportunity to get know some of the MLAs in the Assembly a little better – I've heard Nicole Lawder is a cracker goal shooter anywhere in the circle."
Event organiser, TNA President, Jonathan Toze, said both MLAs had shown a great willingness to learn the basics, which usually begins in primary school.
"'Netball is the ultimate team game so for two people on the opposite side of politics to put that aside and become a team for our event is wonderful," he said.
"This is the third time the association has run a charity event and we want to show that netball is a sport which builds a desire in its players and families to serve the community."
For information, visit tuggeranongna.act.netball.com.au, including how to enrol a team in the Guinness World Records attempt, or email tnaturnspink@tuggeranongnetball.com.au
