Coker backs Bellarine push for new basketball courts

CORANGAMITE Labor federal member Libby Coker is backing calls for more basketball courts to be built on the Bellarine Peninsula, pledging to help the local community secure the necessary funding.

The commitment – which includes assisting in the development of a formal business case for the project and advocating to all levels of government to prioritise the investment – comes as the community prepares to head to the polls tomorrow (Saturday, May 3).

“Basketball is one of the fastest-growing sports in our region, and I understand the clear need for more courts,” Ms Coker said.

“The first step is a strong, community-backed business case. Once we have that, we can work on securing the necessary funding.

“I look forward to continuing to work closely with the Bellarine Peninsula Basketball Association, Basketball Victoria, and all levels of government to help bring this vision to life.”

Basketballers across the peninsula have long struggled with a lack of available court space, a challenge which continues to grow each year alongside the region’s increasing number of basketball players.

In a letter to its membership last year, Bellarine Peninsula Basketball Association (BPBA) president Gary Thompson estimated at least 400 people were missing out on playing the game each week because of the court shortage.

“Available court space is now the major challenge for our association with every available facility on the Bellarine being used for our competitions,” he said. “Put simply, there are not enough basketball courts on the Bellarine Peninsula.

“It impacts on how our competitions run, resulting in sometimes challenging fixture arrangements to ensure we can effectively and safely maximise both the participation and running of all our various levels of competition.

“These pressures create logistical difficulties for all players, parents, families and staff, and more importantly, deny local basketballers the opportunity to play the sport we love, where we live.”

In 2022, following discussions with the City of Greater Geelong, the association unveiled early concept designs for a Bellarine-based multi-court stadium it believes will better meet the needs of the community, ease ongoing scheduling challenges and further the game across the peninsula.

Bellarine MP Alison Marchant is among those who have echoed BPBA’s calls for a boost to the region’s basketball facilities and has previously encouraged the city to apply for state government funding to support the delivery of such a project.

Ms Coker pledged to work closely with Ms Marchant in continuing these efforts to secure funding for the new facilities.