Putting Netball Front and Centre at the Queensland Election
Published on 11 July 2024
A New Home for Rockhampton Netball will be front and centre ahead of this year’s State election thanks to a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Rockhampton Regional Council, Netball Queensland, and Rockhampton Netball Association.
The MoU marks a significant step forward for the project with the three organisations jointly calling for a commitment from all political parties and candidates at the election.
The project will deliver new, fit for purpose facilities for Rockhampton Netball to allow it to expand and meet growing demand. It will also mean Rockhampton will be able to attract larger regional and state netball competitions which are currently bypassing Rockhampton.
The project includes:
- 16 outdoor hard-courts
- A new modern clubhouse and change rooms
- 3-court indoor facility
- Community playspace
It would also deliver establishment works for the broader precinct including roads, connections and utility infrastructure.
Under the new MoU, Council, Netball Queensland and Rockhampton Netball Association commit to:
- Joint advocacy to secure funding and support the delivery of the project
- Conduct regular meetings through a new joint working group
- Share organisational expertise, data and understandings
- Continue to foster and expand netball as a sport in the Rockhampton Region
Parks, Sport and Public Spaces Councillor Cherie Rutherford, said that the new MoU and joint commitment from Council, Netball Queensland and Rockhampton Netball Association was a big step forward and put the project front and centre at the State election.
“We know that for far too long netball has been struggling to juggle growing numbers with limited court space,” Cr Rutherford said.
“We also know that the current site at Jardine Park has its limitations for further development and expansion.
“Instead, a New Home for Rockhampton Netball will mean more space, better connection into other sports and our growth areas; and a real opportunity to solve a generational challenge in our region.
“The message today from all three organisations is clear – we want to see this project front and centre at the election and see our political parties and local candidates commit to funding.”
Netball Queensland Chief Executive Officer, Kate Davies, said the New Home for Rockhampton Netball aligns strongly with Netball Queensland’s strategic focus and direction.
“Netball Queensland is committed to see netball grow, particularly in regional Queensland and this project and MoU are great examples of how the sport is coming together with local communities and advocating for new facilities.
“Rockhampton Netball Association has seen 35% of growth over the last three years and we expect to see that continue.
“New, fit for purpose facilities are vital to help cater for and expand the sport in Rockhampton and we are very pleased to be working with Council and Rockhampton Netball Association through this MoU.”
Rockhampton Netball Association President, Simone Hitchcock, said the MoU was a vital step forward for netball in the Rockhampton area, which showed the joint efforts across council, Netball Queensland and Rockhampton Netball Association.
“We have been working on this initiative for years and we finally have a chance to see the investment in Rockhampton Netball that we need.
“Already this year the limitations of our current site have caused us to turn teams away for our annual Sullivans Carnival because we simply didn’t have the space to run more games. Further to this, we have had to consider court space when grading teams, representative training, and game time scheduling.
“A new facility would mean we can cater not only for our current needs but provide the best practice for our current members, grow representative development opportunities, and attract bigger regional and state carnivals to the region.”
The signing of this MoU, marks yet another crucial milestone in the development of A New Home for Rockhampton Netball following on from the Queensland Government’s $5 million commitment to assist with detailed designs, costings and gaining relevant approvals.