After being told Sunday that their participation in the competition would be suspended following their upcoming match, the team has raised more than $9000 to play.

PLUS...

Northern Rays not giving up

As the Australian Diamonds battle to defend their World Cup title, back on home soil there is one netball team fighting to stay alive.

Northern Rays Board President Lyn Law said the fundraising success was a sign of how North Queenslanders respond to challenges.

“This is what we do. We’re there for each other, we support each other and we help each other through the tough times,” she said.

“The floods earlier this year have made for challenging conditions, but we always pull together and get through and this is a demonstration of that. The community wants their netball team to remain in the competition and the community is fighting hard.”

However, the team still need to raise from $120,000 to $150,000 to remain in the competition.

Netball Queensland CEO Catherine Clark is optimistic that a solution can be found.

“The Northern Rays represent our North Queensland region and we want to see them in our State’s premier competition," she said.

"Netball Queensland is focused on growing netball throughout the entire state and the Rays are a key part of that focus."

The Rays have received immense support from the local community including  North Queensland Cowboys, Queensland Maroons and Kangaroos player Josh McGuire plus their upcoming opposition the USC: Thunder Netball.

North Queensland junior Cara Koenen is also part of the Thunder squad has thrown her support by the Rays.

"To remove that regional pathway would be a massive disaster for netball in Queensland," Koenen told 7News Townsville.

"I think it would be good if we can get the community around them and keep them afloat."

The club is looking for a business in the region to come on as their major sponsor and they have a wide variety of packages available and can tailor to individuals needs.

To assist the plight, visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/keep-northern-rays-alive.

For sponsorship options, contact: northernrays@netballq.org.au