NETBALL
The Moe Netball Association celebrated this week after it was announced they would receive landmark funding to kick-start the development of a new netball precinct at Monash Reserve.
Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing was met with applause from netballers and officials on Tuesday when she confirmed the association would benefit from $3 million in funding for 10 new courts, lighting and a pavilion.
Moe and District Netball Association president Tamara Kennedy labelled the funding a win for netball in the region.
“We’ve been waiting for this for nine years and in that nine years we’ve built a destination, not just an association,” Kennedy said.
“We will be an even greater feeder club into those football and netball associations and we’re hoping to get senior netball back at the association.”
Secretary Donna Krznaric said the new precinct would become “the hub for netball in the area”.
“We’ve had meeting after meeting and thought ‘what’s going on? What’s the next step?’ and now we know where we’re going,” Krznaric said.
“We’re ecstatic and it’s an absolute game-changer for us in local netball.”
Ms Shing announced the funding as part of the 2018/19 Andrews’ Labor Government budget and said netballers in the region had put with too little for too long.
“It’s a mighty netball association boasting between 800-1000 members and, despite the fact that they’re so strong, they haven’t had the facilities and infrastructure to match their commitment,” she said.
“This is testament to the community effort that has gone on to really strongly advocate for an investment in the sporting health and engagement of our communities.”
Ms Shing also announced the Drouin Netball Club would receive $600,000 to upgrade their courts.
Works on the new netball precinct are expected to begin later this year.
