Teams in the Ariels Netball Victorian Churches Netball Association are flying high with the association’s programs moving to the new Yarra Bend Park Regional Netball Centre.
Member for Northcote Kat Theophanous today joined representatives from the Ariels at their Community Netball Day to officially launch the new programs hosted at the Centre, recently completed thanks to an $8 million investment from the Allan Labor Government’s Opportunities in Victorian Parks initiative.
Established in 1930, Ariels Netball Victorian Churches Netball Association features juniors, male, female and mixed teams. The Community Netball Day includes a boy’s clinic, Net Set GO Come and Try and a Fast5 tournament as well as a jumping castle, BBQ, and face painting for all to enjoy.
The Centre is a boon for netballers, providing a great base for training, social netball, and competitions, as well as a venue that’s capable of hosting regional tournaments and larger pathway programs.
It includes eight netball courts each with 200 lux competition lighting, a pavilion as well as bike racks, newly landscaped areas, pathways and increased parking.
The courts are also available for school and public use outside training and competition hours, with one of the courts also line-marked for basketball.
The new shared-use modular pavilion, named after the former Member for Northcote and Minister, Hon Fiona Richardson, is located between the netball courts and the Fairlea West Oval. It includes female friendly change rooms and amenities, spectator and social spaces, kitchen and meeting rooms. Along with netball, the pavilion is home to local fly fishers, soccer and cricket teams.
The Victorian Government has invested more than $1.9 billion in community sport and active recreation infrastructure over the past decade.
The Victorian Budget 2024/25 is also providing more than $23 million continue delivery of community sport and active recreation infrastructure and programs to increase participation opportunities and improve accessibility.
From new courts to pavilion upgrades, investments like these are all about creating jobs, stimulating local economies, and improving the health, wellbeing, and social outcomes for Victorian communities.
Quotes attributable to Member for Northcote Kat Theophanous
“Fiona Richardson championed this netball precinct, saying at the time that the only thing holding back women’s sport in the inner city is the lack of facilities.”
“The Yarra Bend Park Regional Netball Centre changes that – giving clubs and players the facilities they need to match local demand in a sport that is booming.”
