Funding boost brings netball centre closer

Bayside’s 2,700 netballers are closer to stepping on court at a new netball centre following a $4.7 million Federal government funding boost announced by the Prime Minister, The Hon Scott Morrison, MP and Member for Goldstein, Tim Wilson MP today.

Bayside Mayor, Cr Michael Heffernan welcomed the announcement following a strong campaign by Council, Sandringham District Netball Association (SDNA) and Netball Victoria to attract funding support.

Cr Heffernan said building better netball facilities was an important issue for Bayside, with many players currently missing out due to an inadequate number of courts across the municipality.

“This announcement will bring much needed funding for our netballers to complement Council’s $11.3 million commitment to addressing the court shortage.”

“We have been calling for the Federal and State governments to join with Council and the community to help us build facilities to meet the growing needs of our netballers now and into the future. I’m delighted to see the Prime Minister is on the team,” he said.

“We now need the State government to commit to providing the final piece of funding,” he said.

Council’s 2018/19 Budget includes an $11.3 million commitment to build Stage 1 of the Bayside Netball Centre in Wangara Road, Sandringham including 12 outdoor courts and associated amenities, car parking and landscaping. This is the largest single investment in sporting infrastructure in Council’s history.

To achieve Stage 2, which includes two indoor courts and an additional three outdoor courts, $9 million is needed from other levels of government. This will enable SDNA to broaden its programs to include boys and players with a disability.