Netballers at Portland Football Netball Cricket Club are set to rule their rivals and grow their ranks in 2017 thanks to a $290,000 female-friendly facilities upgrade at their home ground in Hanlon Park.
Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney today officially opened the new facilities at Hanlon Park made possible by a $100,000 Andrews Labor Government grant.
Netball is booming in Victoria – with more than 300,000 players across the state and the new action-packed Suncorp Super League underway.
And Portland is no exception, with 12 teams and around 230 locals involved in any one home game.
The upgrade includes two new change rooms, a medical room, store room, as well as umpire and official’s facilities for Portland netballers, giving them greater privacy, safety and security every time they hit the courts.
There are already discussions about expanding the netball program to include a seniors grade in the competition and a junior competition on a Sunday.
Along with the grant from the Labor Government, the Glenelg Shire has contributed $140,000 to the project, with the Portland Football Netball Cricket Club also contributing over $50,000.
The funding is from our $100 million Community Sports Infrastructure Fund, which is helping clubs update tired old grounds and ageing clubrooms.
The fund includes $10 million for Female-Friendly Facilities to build or upgrade women’s change rooms, meaning female players will never again have to use make-shift areas to prepare for competition and training.
This is one of the biggest ever investments in women’s participation in sport by an Australian state government.
Quotes attributable to Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney
“It’s completely unacceptable to have anyone changing in the back of the car – it’s unfair, but here at Hanlon Park we have fixed that.”
“Portland Tigers players here finally have the modern, safe and accessible facilities they deserve.”
“I wish to congratulate them and the Glenelg Shire on the enormous amount of work they have done on this project so far.”
“This fabulous project means the Tigers can host more players than ever before, and more locals can get on the court when they want to play the game they love.”