Prendergast stars in San Remo campaign

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

By Netball Australia

Popular Australian Diamonds defender, Julie Prendergast is promoting a healthy lifestyle message to millions of Australia`s young netballers in her new role as San Remo pasta ambassador.

The 21-year-old is the new `face` of a national San Remo television campaign and says she is keen to encourage families to enjoy pasta as part of a healthy diet.

"San Remo pasta has always been part on my family," she said. "It is a real privilege to work with San Remo to encourage young people to adopt healthy, balanced eating habits and also help to ensure we have a healthy nation of children."

Prendergast, a former junior track and field star, is now an established Australian Diamonds and Melbourne Vixens representative.

"I used to play all sorts of sports at school when I was growing up and Mum made sure I had plenty of the right sorts of carbohydrates before each race or game," Prendergast said.

"She was constantly giving me pasta as part of a balanced healthy diet and I guess that`s one of the reasons why I have developed healthy eating habits as an adult."

Prendergast is promoting the healthy lifestyle message as part of the San Remo NetSetGO! junior development program to help young netballers and parents understand how pasta fits into a healthy lifestyle.

San Remo is taking an active role in promoting the benefits of pasta to the netball community and is working with nutritionists and Netball Australia to develop kid-friendly recipes using pasta that encourages a balanced diet of carbohydrates, fruit and vegetables.

Prendergast is currently competing with the Australian Diamonds against the New Zealand Silver Ferns in the 2008 Holden Netball Test Series.