Darcy Dunstan announces $898k for Grovedale Football Netball Club as Libby Coker pledges $1m

Both the Liberal candidate for Corangamite and the sitting Labor MP have made big pledges to fix the Grovedale netball courts.

Federal Member for Corangamite, Libby Coker MP, pledged to revamp the Grovedale netball courts.

Corangamite candidates have made duelling pledges to fix a local club’s netball courts.

Liberal candidate Darcy Dunstan announced on Thursday evening that a Dutton government would provide $898k towards the upgrade of the Grovedale Football Netball Club’s courts.

While the incumbent Corangamite MP Libby Coker upped the ante with a $1 million funding commitment to modernise the facilities.

The courts were decommissioned in September last year after being deemed unsafe.

Mr Dunstan said the upgrade would allow the club’s netball program to come back home.

“Without safe and compliant courts, our local netballers have been left without a home,” he said.

“This funding will fix that and secure the future of netball in Grovedale.

“For too long, this vital project has been ignored by a local member asleep at the wheel.

For her part, Ms Coker said the investment would support local sport and empower women as she made her announcement alongside players, members and supporters at a training session on Thursday.

“This funding is about ensuring our community has the facilities it deserves,” Ms Coker said.

“With safe, modern courts, the Grovedale Football Netball Club will be able to continue providing opportunities for participation, while strengthening our local sporting culture.”

The club’s netball president Kelly McCarthy welcomed Mr Dunstan’s announcement.

“It’s been six months of effort and uncertainty since our courts were decommissioned so getting this funding means we can get back to our home courts and be confident of our future,” Ms McCarthy said.

“Thanks to Darcy for listening and for fighting for this important project.”

Both candidates pointed to the benefits their respective investments would have for local communities and promoting healthy and active young people.

“When we invest in local sport, we’re investing in stronger communities, healthier families and better outcomes for everyone — from kids playing their first game to senior players and volunteers who give so much to their club,” said Mr Dunstan.

While Ms Coker said: “Ensuring safe and accessible facilities will encourage greater participation and contribute to the overall wellbeing of our community.”

The announcements come a day after the Corangamite race heated up as local activist Kate Lockhart became the latest candidate to throw her hat in the ring for the seat.

Originally published as Darcy Dunstan announces $898k for Grovedale Football Netball Club as Libby Coker pledges $1m