Liberals promise $1 million boost for women’s sport in Hectorville and Golden Grove
WOMEN’S sport in two marginal seats would be given a boost of almost $1 million if the Liberal Party wins government in March.
North & North East
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WOMEN’S sport in Hectorville and Golden Grove would be given a boost if the Liberal Party wins government in March.
The Opposition has promised $280,000 for three new changerooms for umpires and players at the Daly Oval multi-sport precinct.
Hectorville Sports and Community Club has drawn up plans costing $560,000 for a new building next to the clubrooms, with Campbelltown Council already pledging $280,000 towards the project.
A SANFL audit in 2016 found the existing two changerooms to be “completely inadequate” for players and umpires.
The club has prioritised female football and will be adding a fourth team this year.
Hartley MP Vincent Tarzia said the upgrade would provide female players with modern facilities.
“Hectorville Sports and Community Club is one of the biggest sporting clubs in the east with hundreds of members across a variety of sports but unfortunately the club has lacked fit-for-purpose female amenities, which has been a barrier to equality,” he said.
“This has been raised with me in the community by many people.”
Meanwhile, the Liberals have promised $320,000 for the SA District Netball Association (SADNA) centre at Golden Grove to expand and upgrade its carpark.
Netball association president John Adams said if the carpark was fixed more high-end courts would be installed to bring the venue up to Premier League standards, paving the way for top-level matches to be played there.
“I’ve been in discussions with Netball SA about bringing matches to the area as a way of raising the profile of the sport,” Mr Adams said.
“Netball SA have a program in place that provides for state league games to be played at affiliated venues such as the SADNA complex.
“The program provides for one state league game to be played at SADNA annually following the upgrade.”
Mr Adams said negotiations with Netball SA had been going on since 2013 to bring the state’s top players and teams to Golden Grove.
“At the moment our courts don’t meet requirements for the Premier League,” he said.
Netball SA chief executive officer Ben Scales confirmed that the stadium would be considered for Premier League games once upgraded.
A carpark revamp was part of a five to six year plan for the centre, which included the installation of two new indoor and four outdoor courts.
“We need extra parking before putting in any more courts,” Mr Adams said.
The Liberal Party promised to upgrade the carpark, lighting and the Golden Way entry point to the site if elected.
Liberal candidate for King Paula Luethen Soper said the upgrades were needed because close to 400,000 people used the hub each year, causing the carpark to fill up.
The stadium was used by 262 teams from 26 clubs.
“The improvements in traffic flow will ease congestion on local streets and improve the car parking facilities,” she said.
“I congratulate SADNA for the work they have put in to developing plans for an upgraded carpark and lighting which will be a marked improvement.”
The Liberals have also promised $345,000 towards six new multipurpose courts for tennis and netball at the Tea Tree Gully sports hub.
The Labor Party was asked whether they would match both Liberal promises but did not respond to inquiries.
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