COLLINSVILLE Lions Club has donated to netball player Patsy Neli-Lilo’s travelling costs for her training.
During a BBQ held at the RV park, in Collinsville, the club handed a $300 cheque to Collinsville netball player Patsy Neli-Lilo.
“Collinsville Lions endeavours to assist students who are selected to represent Collinsville or the Whitsunday region in their chosen sport,” Marissa Kearney said.
“It is to assist with travel and uniform costs. Generally, it’s either $200 or $300 depending on our financial situation at the time of the application.
“All money that is raised within the Collinsville Community by the Lions is returned back to the members in Collinsville.”
Patsy – described as a competitive, athletic young girl, who always strives for the best – plays with the Whitsunday netball team, and successfully made it to the 10 to 12year-old North Queensland team this year.
“Patsy was shocked when her name was announced to be included in the North Queensland 10 to 12 years team,” Patsy’s mum Silivia Neli-Lilo said.
“She never expected to be on the same level as other girls because she only picked up the sport last year.”
The donation will help Patsy’s family to cover some of the traveling cost for netball training.
“Patsy is extremely grateful for the donation from the Lions’ Club because two months of travelling to her Whitsunday and North Queensland netball training have been disruptive and costly to our family,” Ms Neli-Lilo said.
Other than netball, Patsy likes athletic disciplines and was successful in high jump and long jump last year, in primary school athletics, and she even qualified for North Queensland athletics last year.
“She is starting to realise that she can go further in the sport if she puts her mind into it. She also wants to try her luck in rugby league and, hopefully, one day she gets to wear a Maroons jersey,” Ms Neli-Lilo said.
