The Andrews Labor Government is delivering a major upgrade for Rumbalara’s football grounds and netball courts that will create construction jobs and bring their facilities in line with the best in regional Victoria.
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Gabrielle Williams was in Shepparton today to visit the Rumbalara Football and Netball Club, which is set to kick the season off in style thanks to a $882,000 grant for new netball courts and other improvements.
The two new courts, with fencing and lighting, will improve safety for players, visitors and game-day officials and replace the existing courts that were installed almost 25 years ago when the club first opened.
The works also include a relocation for the players’ shelter, roofing for the bleachers, a new football perimeter and goal fencing.
It will create an estimated 30 direct jobs and help establish the Club as the northern campus of the Munarra Centre for Regional Excellence (MCRE).
The $28 million Centre will be a state-of-the-art, purpose-built sporting, educational and cultural facility for Aboriginal people and the broader community in the Goulburn Murray region, located just across the road from the Rumbalara Club.
Construction work for MCRE kicks off next year, creating dozens more local jobs and ensuring Aboriginal employment is prioritised.
At least 10 per cent of all construction hours will also be undertaken by apprentices, trainees and cadets as part of the Labor Government’s Major Project Skills Guarantee.
Delivering better sporting facilities will not only create jobs, but make it easier for locals to get involved in sport and help lure other major sporting events to the region.
The Rumbalara Football Netball Club is Shepparton’s Aboriginal-owned sporting club, dedicated to strengthening the community and bringing families together through strong, vibrant leadership.
As stated by Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Gabrielle Williams
“Delivering new accessible and modern facilities will help the Rumbalara Football Netball Club take on more players, host more events and draw even bigger crowds, which is great news for the local economy.”
“Sport is the beating heart of many communities, including right here in Shepparton – and we know this will make a real difference to the lives of so many Aboriginal sports people within the Goulburn Murray region.”
As stated by Member for Northern Victoria Mark Gepp
“Rumbalara does an amazing job and is a real hub for the community – we’re helping them grow so they can keep changing people’s lives for the better.”
“I congratulate the club and everyone involved in these upgrades – I can’t wait to see them in action at the start of the season.”
