Organisers of “Undertaking 2027” have introduced an bold plan to coach and equip 300 academics and group youths in netball throughout Nigeria in 2026, as a part of a broader mission to introduce the game to at least one million Nigerian schoolchildren.
The initiative, pushed by the Neighborhood Sports activities and Academic Improvement (CSED) Initiative and its companions, is positioning grassroots growth because the engine for reviving netball in Nigeria, with a robust emphasis on reaching the woman little one, the game’s conventional basis.
Regardless of indicators of rising inclusivity on the continental stage—highlighted by the latest Africa Netball Cup in Malawi—Undertaking 2027 says its core focus stays offering ladies with protected, structured environments to interact in a sport they’ll take pleasure in past their teenage years.
Momentum for the programme continues to construct. At its most up-to-date coaching occasion in Udu Native Authorities Space of Delta State in October 2025, 58 academics had been skilled, bringing the entire variety of skilled academics and group youths below the venture to 511.
To date, Undertaking 2027 netball coaching programmes—supplied freed from cost—have been held in 9 states: Edo, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Ondo, Cross River, Enugu, Taraba, and Rivers. The initiative has been supported by companions together with the Francis and Fidelia Ibhawoh Foundation, state Sports activities Commissions, and Ministries of Schooling.
The Bayelsa State Authorities has been singled out as a trailblazer, having totally sponsored the netball coaching occasion held in Otuoke in September 2025, a transfer organisers say alerts the state’s ambition to turn out to be Nigeria’s main netball hub.
Past coaching, Undertaking 2027 has additionally expanded into progressive sport-for-development programming. In 2024, Tare Pet Montessori Group of Faculties, in partnership with CSED Initiative, piloted the “Sporting Coders” programme and at the moment stands as one in every of solely two faculties in Nigeria with a functioning male netball crew, underscoring the game’s rising attain.
For Cornelius Ehimiaghe, a sport-for-change advocate and key voice throughout the Naija Netball Stakeholders (NNS), the grassroots push for netball is a matter of nationwide accountability.
“We can not wait,” Ehimiaghe stated. “It’s a powerful job, made more durable by challenges on the nationwide administrative stage, however we’ll hold pushing boundaries to guard the rights of Nigerian youngsters to play netball on their very own phrases.”
He disclosed that though Lord’s Taverners, the venture’s main kits and gear supporter, has wound down operations, the organisation made a ultimate donation of two,200kg of sports activities kits and gear, guaranteeing Undertaking 2027 was not left stranded.
Wanting forward, NNS has begun discussions with state sporting and academic authorities, in addition to NGOs and company organisations, to co-host future coaching occasions. Whereas funding stays the largest problem, organisers say a revised co-sponsorship mannequin with NGOs and Sports activities Commissions will assist keep coaching requirements.
Below the brand new framework, individuals will take accountability for producing netball bibs for his or her college students, besides in displaced and susceptible communities, together with Ogoja, the place Undertaking 2027 will totally cowl coaching prices. Notably, 4 Cameroonian refugees beforehand skilled as netball coaches are anticipated to play a key function in coaching 30 academics in Ogoja and surrounding communities in March.
Past teaching, the Naija Netball Stakeholders goal to stimulate extra state-level competitions, encourage the formation of further state netball associations, and help Netball Africa–licensed coaches to ship refresher programs for academics and new faculty clusters.
In a forward-looking transfer, NNS can also be rallying the Nigerian netball group to help the net bid for netball’s inclusion within the 2032 Olympic Video games in Brisbane, Australia—a objective that will mark a significant milestone for the game’s international and native progress.
