Labor, Liberals rush to promise $6m for South Adelaide Basketball Club HQ – in the heart of Boothby

Both sides of politics are vowing millions for a threadbare Marion basketball stadium that sits bang-smack in the seat they desperately need to win.

South Adelaide Basketball Club facilities have until now only received a dribble of interest from those who hold the purse strings.

Little has changed at the Marion club’s HQ for most of its 70-year history, and the tired facility is lovingly but also disparagingly nicknamed “The Shed”.

But all that suddenly changed this week when the Boothby political pork-barrel rolled into town and both major parties suddenly agreed that, no matter who wins government, $6m was urgently needed.

Boothby is the most hotly contested SA seat in the federal election, and Labor and Liberal were both keen on scoring basketball three-pointers with photographs on centre court.

Winning the opening tip-off were Families and Social Services Minister Anne Ruston and Liberal candidate for Boothby Dr Rachel Swift.

They visited the club early last week and were mobbed by enthusiasts when they announced their plan.

First, it was the Liberals … Rachel Swift and Anne Ruston with Olivia Pajkovski at the Marion Basketball Stadium on April 20. Picture: Matt Turner

Senator Ruston said: “The Morrison government is committed to delivering for the Marion community and all those basketballers and their families right across Adelaide who use the club for games in domestic and district leagues.

“We need to encourage kids to be active and a big part of that is making sure we deliver the facilities they need. Getting kids involved in healthy activity and sports is a foundation for a healthy life.”

Perhaps with news the Liberal announcement was imminent, Labor within days levelled the scores and matched the funding via opposition sport spokesman Senator Don Farrell and Labor candidate Louise Miller-Frost.

“Labor’s commitment will help the club and its dedicated volunteers give even more people the opportunity to enjoy sport and its benefits,” he said.

Then it was Labor’s turn … Boothby candidate Louise Miller-Frost with junior basketballers at the Marion basketball courts to announce Labor’s plan. Picture: Dean Martin

SABC president Zoran Pajkovski said the whole club and basketball community were “very happy” with the funding announcement.

“The Panthers have needed a big upgrade to The Shed for a long, long time and this has been talked about and planned on and off for years, if not decades,” he said.

“Now the club will get the facilities that our players and families deserve. After 70 years The Panthers will have a proper home for basketball in Marion.”

Dr Swift said the club facilities were very similar to when it was formed 70 years ago. “It’s no wonder that as long as anyone can remember the current facilities have been known as ‘The Shed’,” she said.

A total redevelopment of $10m is planned for the site, including two new courts, increased seating from 200 to 750 people, a gym, and new change rooms.