A $29,000 profit from last year's Golden Oldies World Netball Festival will be given to Wakatipu netballers.
The local organising committee said the money would be going to the netball community via a new funding initiative, and equipment bought by the organising committee for the festival would be distributed among schools and representative teams.
Festival director Corina Ngatuere was delighted to be able to give the sport such a boost.
"We're thrilled to be able to give back to the sport which has given us all so much over the years.
"Netball's more than just a game; it's the fun, friendship and fraternity that keeps us involved no matter what age we are.
"That's why Golden Oldies has proved to be so popular.
"It's not high-level competition; it's a whole lot of women who want to keep active in a sport they love, travel to great destinations, catch up with old friends, meet new ones and have a lot of fun."
Ms Ngatuere said the aim was to enhance the experience for everyone who played netball in the Wakatipu, along with addressing specific needs for youth and adults.
Distribution of the money would be split "over a few years" and would go towards promoting, fostering and supporting the development of all areas of netball within the Wakatipu community.
Not-for-profit organisations - for example schools, clubs or the Wakatipu Netball Centre - would be eligible to apply for funding once a year.
Areas of priority included the development of coaches, umpires and officials; enhancement programmes for all primary and secondary schoolchildren; injury prevention; performance enhancement courses for all netball players in the Wakatipu community.
• Applications for funding are now open and will close on April 1. Funding criteria and application forms are available from www.netballsouthland.org.nz
