Wollondilly Netball Association sprung back to life on Saturday 1st May, opening 12 brand new courts in the process.
The difficulties of COVID-19 and a full rebuild of the Tahmoor Sports Complex meant there was no action in season 2020 for Wollondilly, but they celebrated in style last week at their big re-opening.
A cast of VIP’s including local Federal Member for Hume Hon Angus Taylor MP, local State Member for Wollondilly Nathaniel Smith MP, Wollondilly Mayor Cr Robert Khan and Netball NSW CEO Tain Drinkwater were on hand to cut the ribbon and welcome players back for 2021.
The early morning NetSetGO girls were also joined on court by NSW Swifts training partner Kelly Singleton and GIANTS Netball training partner Amy Sligar who handed out a few tips, then turned to handing out Swifts and GIANTS giveaways after the formalities.
The netball courts at Tahmoor have been relocated within the sports complex, with the six old bitumen courts and six grass courts now replaced by 12 brand new, fully lit hard courts. The project was funded by a $1 million grant from the NSW Government, $873,000 from the Federal Government and $127,000 from Wollondilly Council.
In thanking the various levels of government at the opening Netball NSW CEO Tain Drinkwater acknowledged that a project of this nature takes a huge amount of effort and resources from many different stakeholders.
“Plus, you need the drive and the determination of the brilliant netball volunteers at Club and Association level who continually give so much to support and promote the game they love,” Ms Drinkwater said.
“Congratulations to President Amy Keshan and the entire Wollondilly Netball Association for the work you have put in. You should be very proud of the result and enjoy these courts for years to come.”
Member for Wollondilly Nathaniel Smith said the new netball courts provided a safe and accessible facility for local netballers.
“Women’s sport is on the rise and the NSW Government is committed to assisting its growth at grassroots level,” Mr Smith said.
“We are proud to support these upgrades which will assist more women and girls to be healthy and active. I wish the Wollondilly netball teams all the best for the 2021 season.”
Mayor Khan said, “We have worked with the community to come up with a fantastic master plan for the Tahmoor Sporting Complex to make it a district level facility.”
