Hornsby Spiders call for new indoor sports stadium in Thornleigh

Indoor sporting groups are calling on the State Government to invest in more stadiums and training spaces across Hornsby as available facilities reach capacity.

Hornsby Spiders Basketball general manager Vicki Dean, rep player and coach Andrew Searles and president Shahrad Shafaghi at Thornleigh Brickpit Basketball Sports Stadium. Picture: AAP IMAGE / Troy Snook

• Desperate push for new or expanded facilities for Hornsby Spiders
• Hornsby Council to upgrade sporting fields

Indoor sporting groups are calling on the State Government to invest in more stadiums and training spaces across Hornsby as available facilities reach capacity.

The Hornsby Spiders, who play basketball out of Thornleigh Brickpit Stadium, are leading the charge for more space as part of an ongoing campaign launched in the Advocate in 2017.

Club president Shahrad Shafaghi said a lack of affordable, good-quality facilities were crippling the club’s ability to cater for its 2900 members.

“A suitable location to build is key to developing a new facility and land is rare,” Mr Shafaghi said.

Hornsby Spiders Basketball rep player & coach Andrew Searles in action. Picture: AAP IMAGE / Troy Snook

“But there is a space — the Roads and Maritime Services land on Pioneer Ave, Thornleigh, is the perfect location to build a new facility.

“We need State Government help to help secure this land so that it can be developed into a community facility that can service the multitude of sports and social groups that need access to indoor facilities.”

In 2017, it wasreported the Thornleigh Brickpit Stadium was running at 100 per cent capacity — before the Spiders saw 300 new members register for the club.

Hornsby Spiders general manager Vicki Dean said the club juggled several facilities including Knox Grammar, Barker College, St Leo’s Catholic College and Hornsby PCYC in order to provide training and game space for the club’s 334 teams.

Hornsby Spiders Basketball president Shahrad Shafaghi & GM Vicki Dean are petitioning for a new Indoor sports facility in Thornleigh. Picture: AAP IMAGE / Troy Snook

The Thornleigh Brickpit is full and the Hornsby Spiders are struggling to find somewhere to house their teams.

Hornsby state Liberal MP Matt Kean said he supported the Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Basketball Association.

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“I am fully on board to work with them to ensure they get the facilities they need and continue to be one of the best basketball associations in the country,” he said.

The land located on Pioneer Ave was acquired by the Roads and Maritime Services in 2015 for the NorthConnex project and is currently used as a transfer facility.

“No decision been made on the future use of the land and I am keen to find a great solution,” Mr Kean said.