Springfield Park: Liberals pledge new netball court, cricket nets in Box Hill North

A junior Box Hill netball club without its own court has been given a huge boost after an election promise from the state opposition.

A junior netball club without proper practice facilities could get its own court under a state opposition pledge to transform a Whitehorse sporting reserve.

The Liberals have pledged $1.2m to upgrade Springfield Reserve in Box Hill North, home to the Whitehorse Colts football and netball club and Kerrimuir United cricket club, if they win November’s state election.

The Liberals’ commitment would allow for a single netball court and more cricket nets to be built, with the reserve’s playground and carpark also upgraded and moved to new locations.

The Colts have been lobbying for more than two years to get their own court with netball facilities in the area at capacity.

Despite a 1278-signature petition, Whitehorse Council rejected a proposed masterplan at its May 9 meeting, as councillors felt it wasn’t a strong enough business case for broad community use.

Colts netball secretary Melissa Collard said the ledge had given hope to its young female players, some of whom almost shed tears of joy at the announcement.

“They felt so excluded from the community for so long, and for them to see we can make change and make this a reality for these girls has provided inspiration for them,” she said.

Box Hill state Liberal candidate Nicole Werner said the upgrade was “vital” for the growing community and the petition for the project “speaks for itself”.

“The case that the community has put to us is strong, junior netballers deserve a netball court that is accessible to them in their local area … we are thrilled to be championing local junior sport,” she said.

Box Hill state Labor MP Paul Hamer did not commit to matching the pledge, but said he had been supporting the club for more than a year to progress the project.

Mr Hamer said he had written to the council’s executives to “navigate a way forward for the proposal” after the council’s refusal in May.

Mayor Tina Liu said the council “welcomes opportunities to partner with the state government in supporting netball and women and girls’ participation in sport.”

Ms Liu said the area’s future needs for the sport was “being investigated in alternate locations that could provide a larger offering than a single court” to service a larger number of clubs.