About the Development of the Plan

In 2022, the MDNA received a grant from Netball Victoria to conduct a strategic plan using the Sports Community organisation. Four strategic planning committee members attended a webinar series, that guided them through the process from defining stakeholder groups, collecting background information, to consultation with the community, the drafting of goals for the plan and finally, engaging volunteers to implement the plan.

Consultation took the form of an in-person workshop held in September 2022, where all association stakeholders were invited to attend and contribute. There was an excellent turn out, represented by committee, umpires, players, parents, and Knox City councillors. Attendees contributed their ideas and visions for MDNA into the future. Feedback was also collected via email and phone interviews for those who could not attend the workshop.

Listening to the community was the priority for the strategic planning committee and their feedback has formed the basis for this plan.

Our Four Pillars

Advancing Sustainably

As the association emerges from the Covid lockdown years, it must transition from surviving to thriving. To do this, adopting best practice for governance, and recruiting more volunteers to help contribute to the organisation will be vital to ensure a sustainable organisation, which can identify and act on opportunities utilising the skills base of its members.

OUR STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

• To update association governance essentials to ensure best practice into the future.
• To develop and implement a new board and management structure for the association to provide clear responsibilities and opportunities for new volunteers.
• To develop a facilities plan in conjunction with Knox City Council to ensure the location can continue to meet the needs of the association into the future.

WHAT WILL SUCCESS LOOK LIKE?

• The Board and management team will have clear role descriptions and responsibilities and will work together collegiately to progress the association.
• The association will have updated association documents shared and accessible for board and member use.
• There will be a clear, ordered plan of facility upgrade items available to liaise with Knox City Council and explore grant opportunities.

Advancing Our Game

The feedback collected from our stakeholders was clear in its desire to grow and increase the offerings for netball competition provided by MDNA. Both in the growing and retention of the current programs, and the development of new.

OUR STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

• To review the competition offerings with the aim of expanding our player base to more inclusive options which may include Walking Netball, Boys’ Netball, Mixed Netball, Fast 5, Rock Up Netball and All Abilities Netball.
• To review the Saturday Competition for season length and scheduling, game timing and court allocation, and structure from Modified to Open.
• To investigate the viability of hosting netball clinics in local schools, potentially partnering with member clubs and other organisations to do so in order to increase participation.

WHAT WILL SUCCESS LOOK LIKE?

• Expanded and differentiated netball formats giving greater options to potential players, leading to an increase in member numbers.
• Increased visibility of Netball in the community.
• Satisfied member clubs.

Advancing Our People

We are our people.

MDNA wants to develop its community in all facets of the game: for players, umpires, coaches, volunteers and administrators. We are committed to being the association of choice for our people through skills development and support in their netball journeys.

We want to engage volunteers and capture their expertise to drive our association forward.

OUR STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

• To conduct a full review of Umpire operations, focusing on umpire recruitment, development, and retention.
• To upskill and support our coaches, both at a club level and representative level with a focus on development of netball specific coaching as well as soft skills.
• To conduct a full review of the representative program, focusing on improved talent identification for recruitment, improved training, and competition level for retention; improved support for delivering players to future pathways.
• To develop a community of volunteers, tapping into expertise of our members.
• To review how best to proactively support our member clubs in fields of governance assistance; coaching; recruitment.

WHAT WILL SUCCESS LOOK LIKE?

• Our members will feel supported, valued, engaged and empowered to strive for their best in their individual netball pathway, whether that be as a domestic player, representative player, umpire, coach, administrator or volunteer.
• Our members clubs will use and value MDNA as a resource where required to assist in their club development journeys.

Advancing Our Brand

MDNA have over 2,000 netballers plus their families attend the Knox Regional Netball Centre across three competitions every week. This is a great advertising opportunity for local businesses. Coupled with our growing social media engagement we are in a strong position to expand our sponsorship and advertising revenue.

This strategic plan sees the association developing a new branding and a targeted approach to introducing sponsorship.

OUR STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

• To develop a new website and social media presence that fits the needs and information requirements of our community and beyond.
• To develop a marketing proposition and brochure outlining sponsorship opportunities for local businesses.
• To develop a communication policy for communicating with our members and stakeholders.

WHAT WILL SUCCESS LOOK LIKE?

• Members will be able to use the association website as a resource for playing, umpiring, volunteering and club administration support.
• Members will know when and how they are going to receive communications from the association.
• Potential new members will be able to obtain information about all netball opportunities and clubs from the website.
• MDNA will attract new sponsorship.