Netball Projects Secure Major Funding Boost

Netball Associations across the state will benefit from significant facility improvements following the announcement by the NSW Government of the recipients of grants in the Greater Cities and Regional Sport Facility Funds.

Across seven projects, $5.4 million worth of funding will directly impact the facilities used by netballers every weekend.

Highlights of the announcements were four $1 million grants awarded to Stage 2 of the Maitland court re-build, Stage 1 of the Illawarra District courts upgrade, the Griffith Regional Sports Precinct (new home of the Griffith Netball Association) and the new amenities building at the Tahmoor home of Wollondilly Netball Association.

Rounding out the funding injections were lighting works at Armidale as well as court upgrades at Blue Mountains and Cessnock.

Netball NSW CEO Tain Drinkwater thanked both the State Government and Local Governments for their assistance with securing the funding.

“We are delighted that the State Government, through the Office of Sport, saw the merit in these projects and we thank them for investing in netball facilities which will cater for thousands of community participants,” Ms Drinkwater said.

“I would also like to make special mention of the seven Local Councils who have partnered with the hard-working volunteers at netball Associations as well as Netball NSW in bringing these projects to fruition. Community sport can not operate without Local Councils and we are very grateful for the huge support of the Councils undertaking these projects.”

Netball NSW Facilities and Infrastructure Manager Stephen Bourke said projects such as these can take many years to eventuate.

“Every project has a lifecycle which starts with a Club or Association with a vision and works through many stages of planning before it is ready for a funding application. Sometimes that process takes months, but in many cases it is years. Results such as this show that ultimately the time and effort from all parties at the planning table is well worth it in the end,” said Mr Bourke.

Both the Greater Cities and Regional Sport Facility Funds will open again later in the year for a second round of applications where once again $25 million will be available in both Greater Sydney and regional NSW. Associations looking to progress infrastructure projects of any size should contact their Netball NSW Regional Manager, Association contact or Stephen Bourke directly at sbourke@netballnsw.com

 Funded projects: