Upgrading the Armidale and District Netball Association (ADNA) courts had become a matter of urgency.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Now they have received $600,000 from the state government to repair the surface at the 20-year-old facility, which has cracks in the uneven surface which had been placing player safety at serious risk.
ADNA's coaching co-ordinator Rochelle Joyce said scoring the funds would be a game-changer for netball in the region.
READ MORE:
"Last year we had 700 registered players putting their bodies on the line, to play the sport they love on a dangerous surface," Ms Joyce said.
"This funding will be a lifesaver for our organisation as it will ensure our players can improve the quality of their matches by reducing their risk of slipping. It also means we can continue to host our regular regional competitions."
The Lynches Road facility is a join asset which is managed between ADNA and Armidale Regional Council.
Ms Joyce said the funding means a variety of different people will benefit from this project including families who access the facility for bike riding, local roller skaters and personal training sessions.
As this is quite an extensive project, they are hoping to have it started by the second half of this year, COVID-19 permitting.
"It is our dream that the new surfaces will be laid and ready for play at the start of the 2021 season," Ms Joyce said.
Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall visited the courts on Wednesday to announce ADNA would received the $600,000 grant from the State Government grant to redevelop the dilapidated bitumen hard courts.
"On a Saturday in Armidale, Lynches Road is the place to be with netball drawing in up to 1000 players and spectators on any given competition day," Mr Marshall said.
"With year-on-year growth in membership, ANDA has been working hard to address the structural issues which have developed in the courts over many years.
But he said the large cracks that had developed in the surface made it slippery, while water damage had caused some areas to sink making it uneven.
In 2011 the organisation, along with Armidale Regional Council, jointly funded a cover layer and filled the cracks when courts A and B were constructed, but this temporary measure has since worn away.
"This grant will fully redevelop the complex, with courts A and B to be replaced while courts 1 to 8 receive new line marking and broken edging redone and strengthened," Mr Marshall said.
Meanwhile a lack of drainage on the courts is causing serious ongoing water damage and so ADNA hopes by undertaking these measures it may reduce the need for ongoing maintenance in the future.
"It's important that women's sport receives the recognition it truly deserves and I'm glad the State Government has come on board with this redevelopment which will not only improve competitor's safety but also boost the standard of play."
Ms Joyce was full of prase for the MP's support.
"Adam has always been a supporter of our game and on behalf of our entire netball family I can't thank him enough for securing this grant and the future of our organisation," she said.
