Construction begins on new facilities in Anakie

ANAKIE Football Netball Club’s mission to expand and improve its netball facilities will soon become a reality.

City of Greater Geelong deputy mayor Anthony Aitken and Member for Lara Ella George met with Anakie club representatives to officially begin construction of a second netball court, appropriate sports lighting, and players’ shelter and fencing.

The $510,000 project at Anakie Reserve on De Motts Road will encourage more community members of all ages consider joining the club, while providing safer training resources and areas of play.

Cr Aitken said the upgrade to the club’s base will help grow its membership base and expand on previous investments to the club’s pavilion complex.

“Anakie is a very proud and unique community within the City of Greater Geelong that Council has delivered multimillion dollar investments for since 2017,” Cr Aitken said.

“We are proud to continue our support for the township by constructing the upgraded facilities for our local Anakie netballers for the 2024 winter season.

“This partnership between Council and the federal and state governments demonstrates our commitment to provide important infrastructure that encourages an active lifestyle and social connections.”

The project is made possible by funding from both the state and federal government.

The federal government is contributing $312,867 from phase 3 of the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure program, and the state government’s Country Football and Netball Fund is providing $197,133.

“The new netball facilities will help the Roos grow participation in netball – meaning more women and girls can play the sport they love,” Ms George said.

“The Allan Labor Government is getting behind local sporting clubs like the Anakie Roos and investing in sporting facilities that the whole community can be proud of.”

Deputy Prime Minister and Federal Member for Corio, Hon. Richard Marles MP said Anakie was home to a great community and at its heart was the Roos.

“I am so pleased the Albanese Government is working with the Allan Government to invest in important community infrastructure, like these new facilities for the Roos,” Mr Marles said.

“We know when we back community sport, we get better outcomes.

“These upgrades will see the Roos grow and, importantly, remove barriers for women and girls getting involved in sport.”

Anakie president Heath Menhennet told this publication in January, the club is hopeful to have construction completed by the end of May, leaving a large portion of the season to make use of the new facilities.