Home of Toowoomba netball set for radical overhaul and upgrade

One of Toowoomba’s biggest sporting organisations is set for a radical overhaul and upgrade that could bring $10 million to the city. Get all the details here.

Toowoomba Netball's Nell E. Robinson Park facilities are set for a major overhaul after the association received a Federal Government grant.

A $1.5 million grant is set to launch Toowoomba Netball Association into a bold new future.

The Federal Government Play Our Way boost will reinvigorate the association’s ageing Nell E. Robinson Park facilities adding four new hard courts as well as refurbishing the existing 19 courts.

All the existing hard and grass courts will be updated to the standard of the additional four new courts.

“It’s an amazing result for the association,” TNA president Adam Marjoribanks said.

“This grant cements our future for the next 20 years.

“Our membership is growing every year and this development means we can meet that demand and grow the game as well.

“It’s been a long time coming with previous committees, past and current members working hard to secure this development – everyone involved deserves praise for their efforts.”

Work on the four new courts is expected to be completed by September with attention then turning to updating the existing courts.

Marjoribanks described the development as a ‘win win’ for netball in the Garden City.

With all 23 courts expected to be ready for the next netball season there will be an immediate boost to player safety, skill development and program capabilities.

The redevelopment also represents a potential $10 million-plus economic boost for Toowoomba.

An aerial look at Toowoomba Netball Association's new court layout and development. Works conducted by Jordin Sports Constructions are expected to start in the coming weeks.

“Straight away it is a safety boost for our players with more run-off space around the courts and the general standard upgrade to the courts as well as getting rid of the grass courts,” Marjoribanks said.

“We’re going to have first class facilities now which means better training and game day experience for all our members.

“As an example if you look at juniors they’re diving for loose balls on grass courts, you can’t do that on a hard court, the new courts will help them learn and develop the skills they need quicker.”

The potential $10 million boost comes in the shape of the opportunity to host state championships.

“We cannot apply to host state age carnivals because the current facilities do not meet the standard set by Netball Queensland,” Marjoribanks said.

“The last time we did host was in the 80s.

“These upgrades mean we will meet the standards and we plan to apply for hosting rights as soon as 2027.

“Netball Queensland reports that 5-6000 people attend every day over the four days.

“Their reports say the event brings $8-10 million to the host town.

“That would be an amazing result for netball and Toowoomba as a whole.”