New indoor sports stadiums will be built across suburban Melbourne and regional Victoria, and others will be upgraded, as part of a $30 million budget boost.
Victoria is the sporting capital of Australia, with the highest sports participation rates in the country, and we want it to stay that way.
Indoor stadiums are at the heart of our suburbs and towns, with nearly 450,000 Victorians participating in sports like netball or basketball every week.
They are a hive of activity at weekends as budding juniors take to the court with pride, and all through the week as Victorians of all ages and abilities keep fit and connect with friends in social competitions.
But demand for courts is outstripping supply, which means midweek competitions are being forced to run deep into the evening, or players are being turned away from participating in the games they love.
The 2016/17 Victorian Budget includes:
- $22 million for the Better Indoor Stadiums Fund to build and upgrade multi-use stadiums, meaning more basketball, netball and volleyball players will be able to take to the court where they want – and when they want.
- $8 million to continue the popular Country Football Netball Program, which will help regional clubs build new facilities, install lights and complete ground or court resurfacing.
Regional Victoria is home to some of the state’s top football and netball leagues – and our biggest stars – and they deserve top class facilities.
Further investment into grassroots sport and sporting infrastructure will be included in the Budget.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Sport John Eren
“There’s not enough court space in Victoria for the record numbers playing basketball and netball, but we’re changing that. We don’t want young players having to take to the court late at night just so they can have a game.”
“Indoor stadiums aren’t just a hive of activity at weekends, they’re where Victorians of all ages and all abilities get together after school or work to keep fit.”
- “We’re Australia’s sporting capital, and it’s no accident. Community sport is the heart of our suburbs and towns, and we’re upgrading our facilities to help our clubs and our players grow.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020