Community funds a major step towards outdoor netball courts at MSRSP

Published on 14 May 2020

The Mildura South Regional Sporting Precinct (MSRSP) could be expanded to include four outdoor netball courts following a community contribution of more than $360,000.

The contribution will see the inclusion of the outdoor courts and associated lighting at the precinct, and is now dependent on Victorian Government funding.

Councillor for Recreation and Sport Glenn Milne said the Mildura Netball Association (MNA), Sunraysia Football Netball League (SFNL) and South Mildura Sporting Club (SMSC) have pledged $365,000 towards the new courts.

“This is a fantastic contribution from the community, which is a major step towards realising the expanded netball facilities at the Mildura South Regional Sporting Precinct,” Cr Milne said.

“With this contribution now secured, we await the result of an application for $500,000 in Victorian Government funding through the Local Sports Infrastructure Fund’s Female Friendly Facilities program to make this a reality.”

Member for Mildura Ali Cupper lauded the contribution of local sporting clubs toward the MSRSP, and says it’s time for the Victorian Government to step up and fund the remainder of the project.

“The Mildura spirit is on show here with local clubs putting in their hard-raised funds to make the MSRSP bigger and better, but we are still waiting for the Andrews Government to put in its fair share,” Ms Cupper said.

“The Victorian Government’s contribution under the Female Friendly Facilities program will be critical to ensuring women’s sports are fully integrated, but I want to see the Victorian Government provide funding for the project to be fully realised as per the community’s needs.

“The Government hasn’t thought twice about providing this sort of funding in other regional centres, and now it’s only right that they deliver the same for Mildura.  We’re Victorians too.”

MNA President Lisa Jackson said the additional courts would allow the Association to fully relocate from Mansell Reserve.

“Having 10 courts at this modern, state-of-the-art facility will provide new opportunities to host regional and state netball events in Sunraysia,” Lisa said.

“It will also be a major step forward for our players, not only due to the much better playing surfaces, but all of the other facilities such as change rooms and other amenities.”

SFNL President Paul Matheson said the increase in netball courts at the MSRSP would provide numerous opportunities for the sport and the SFNL.

“Having outdoor netball courts at the precinct means that netball can be played in conditions that are consistent with the rest of the competition and provide the opportunity for finals to be played at the precinct,” Paul said.

“This precinct offers health, social and economic benefits, and ultimately the SFNL wants to ensure adequate facilities to sustain and increase female participation in sport.”

SMSC President Mark Bresnehan said the club was excited by what an expanded MSRSP facility would provide players and members.

“As a club we are really excited to soon be able to call the MSRSP home,” Mark said.

“It will be the premier sporting facility in town, with the addition of outdoor netball courts to only add to the venue’s capacity and capability to host large-scale events and competitions, while ensuring we can meet the needs of our members and players.”

Cr Milne thanked all three sporting groups for their contribution to the MSRSP.

“We’re certainly grateful for the community contribution of $365,000, which is a significant investment, particularly when you consider these groups are all run by volunteers,” he said.

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