Cats get the keys ahead of home opener

AFTER more than half a decade of planning and construction, Lara Netball Club moved into its new home pavilion just one week out of the Geelong Netball League’s (GNL) club’s home opener.

The Cats’ netball program is entering the GNL campaign on a high, following the official pavilion handover at Lara Recreation Reserve last week.

Former committee member and Lara Netball stalwart Fiona Bennett said the pavilion, which formed part of a $2.75-million project including new courts, appropriate sports lighting and sporting equipment, was first talked about in 2016 and initially expected to be completed at the end of last year.

“It’s a little ironic that you can look at the handover having perfect timing just before the season begins, but it’s probably around 15 years overdue, but at least we’ve got it now,” Bennett laughingly said.

“It’s turned out really well, and we are ecstatic to finally have it.

“A massive thanks is in order to our local councillors in Kylie Grzybek and Anthony Aitken, but also Lara Sporting Club Chairman Peter Kelly who deserves full credit in getting this going.”

The Cats will host a special Anzac Day Sunday clash against Grovedale in Round 2 of the GNL season on April 23.

Lara’s all-time games leader Zoe Day fittingly cut the ribbon to the new pavilion last week with many of the club’s veteran netballers in attendance for the occasion.

“It was a special day for our older players, a lot of our old school players probably thought they would never play on a decent court again, but it’s come to fruition and the atmosphere has certainly lifted at the club,” Bennett said.

“A lot of people talk about Lara and Colac being the bookends of the GNL geographically, and Lara is a large community. So it’s great that the community now has a netball base that it can be really proud of.

“Now we will make sure to look after the new pavilion and hopefully the good spirits are contagious, and our top senior sides can garner some good results and make another run at a premiership.”

Lara’s last A Grade premierships were won in 2002 and 2003 after they went back-to-back defeating South Barwon and North Shore.