Local netballers are taking the court at the brand new Bayside Community Sports Centre in Sandringham, realising Council’s largest investment in community sport to date.
Located at Sandringham College’s Holloway Road campus, the purpose-built facility provides additional courts for Bayside’s growing local netball association including two indoor courts, nine outdoor courts, as well as on-site parking and amenities.
Netball is the most popular female team sport across Australia. Participation in Bayside has more than doubled since 2010, with over 2,500 players from 12 clubs involved in the Bayside District Netball Association’s (BDNA) competition.
Almost 12 years in the making, the opening of the Bayside Community Sports Centre is “fantastic for the whole community”, said BDNA representative Graham Scull.
“The benefits it is going to provide to the community will be huge,” Graham said. “The players will be able to play safely and for more typical game lengths of junior netball.”
On a wider community level, Graham said having the junior netballers becoming well-rounded citizens will ultimately benefit everyone in Bayside.
“We have a large complement of coaches, referees, mentors and youth clubs who are helping to develop leadership among the junior netball contingent,” Graham said.
With the new, larger, lit facility, games no longer need to be shortened and can be played according to the national regulation time standard. Restrictions on club memberships can also be lifted, giving more players the opportunity to get active and involved.
The project also delivered a new sportsground for local junior cricketers, who will have the opportunity to increase their participation level, match duration and frequency of competition play.
The new Centre represents Council’s largest investment in community sport to date, with $18 million complemented by $4.7 million Australian Government funding and collaboration with the Victorian School Building Authority.
Playing netball at the new centre this season?
If you are visiting for the first time, allow a bit of extra time to find your way.
