Delivery for Demons

By Lachlan Ellis

Bungaree netballers will be shooting goals with a brand-new court this month, thanks to investment from the State Government and Moorabool Shire Council.

Member for Eureka Michaela Settle met with Mayor Cr Rod Ward, Cr Moira Berry, and representatives from the Bungaree Football Netball Club last Thursday at the Bungaree Recreation Reserve, for an official launch of the new court.

Made possible by more than $36,000 from the State Government’s Country Football and Netball Program, alongside around $18,000 from Moorabool Shire Council, the new acrylic surface court has replaced an ageing, cracked asphalt surface.

The new surface is Netball Victoria competition standard, and is complemented by new court fencing, and will also allow the club to host more competitions, and provide space for Bungaree Primary School and the community to host events.

“We know how important these sports facilities are in communities, they’re really the heart of communities like Bungaree. I’m really delighted the State Government contributed around $36,000 for the courts. As ever, it’s a wonderful collaboration with Moorabool Shire Council,” Ms Settle said.

“For too long regional clubs like the Demons have been limited by outdated or non-existent court facilities – they deserve appropriate facilities they can be proud of.”

“I’d like to thank everyone involved, this isn’t just the Football Netball Club here, this is a community centre as well. This incorporates tennis courts as well as netball courts, and incorporates an area that goes out to Bullarook and Millbrook. It does accommodate for a lot of communities…we’ve come a long way, it’s not just about the sporting clubs, it’s great to be able to help the communities as well,” Bungaree FNC President Heath Boyd added.

Cr Ward said that without programs like the Country Football and Netball Program, upgrades like this wouldn’t happen in regional communities.

“This was a $54,000 project made possible by the Country Football and Netball Program. Having been involved in community sport for over 20 years, this is one of the best programs I’ve seen, and without programs like this, it’d be difficult to get sports upgrades for country towns,” he said.

“This project has delivered safe and fit-for-purpose netball courts, in line with Netball Australia standards, which is what our local netballers deserve.”

The Country Football and Netball Program is a partnership with the AFL, AFL Victoria, and Netball Victoria. Since 2005, more than $37.5 million has been invested in over 560 projects across the state.

For more information about infrastructure grant opportunities available, visit sport.vic.gov.au.