Southern United Netball Association received their final boost in a bid to upgrade courts

A southern suburbs netball hub is set for an additional six courts after being granted it’s final financial boost by local council. See the plans here.

A southern netball association have acquired the last piece of their puzzle as they seek to upgrade 30-year-old courts.

At the recent meeting, Onkaparinga Council granted a further $289,000 to Southern United Netball Association (SUNA) from identified budget savings in the approved 2020-21 budget, towards construction of six additional, new netball courts at Wilfred Taylor Reserve.

In a detailed report presented to council, the courts have been needing some much needed repairs for some time as well as being in need of expanding to house 1800 players – as well as accommodate to a potential 6000 indirect users which would include spectators, officials as well as school carnivals.

The existing netball courts. Picture: Supplied by The City of Onkaparinga

“The number of courts has not increased since the association commenced at Wilfred Taylor in 1978 yet the number of teams participating has grown significantly,” the report said.

“Netball participation numbers are growing with around 230 teams registered to play in the 2020-21 summer season, with players coming from as far as Aldinga, McLaren Vale, Kangarilla, Blackwood, Clarendon, Marion and Hallett Cove.

“In the past five years winter competition player numbers have increased by 38 per cent and summer series player numbers have increased by 21 per cent.”

In 2019 an audit of the existing 12 courts within SUNA found they would meet end of useful life within two years.

What the additional six courts will look like. Picture: Supplied by The City of Onkaparinga

Council completed a court upgrade design in the 2020-21 financial year including reconstruction of the existing 12 courts as well as design of the six additional courts, with LED match standard sports lighting.

On December 8, 2020 Council approved applying for $1.7m for Stage 1 through the Federal Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program which was successful but were unsuccessful for funding towards Stage 2 through the Local Government Infrastructure Project Program.

“Since the outcome of the unsuccessful grant application SUNA have approached council seeking additional funding support and also committed to an increased funding contribution of $300,000 toward construction of six additional courts, allowing stages 1 and 2 to be delivered at the same time,” the report said.

“Given SUNA’s commitment of $250,000 to $300,000 funding it is proposed that if the project is delivered under budget then any surplus contingency funds not required be returned to SUNA to minimise the financial burden on this important community sporting group.”

Council approved the additional funding at the May meeting, construction on the new courts will start in June with an October finish.