Goal scored for SUNA upgrades
Published on 08 April 2022
New courts and contemporary lighting have been installed at the Southern United Netball Association.
It’s game on for teams playing at the Southern United Netball Association (SUNA) with the $2.8 million upgrade of courts and lighting now complete.
The Wilfred Taylor Reserve facility, built in 1978, has been upgraded to 18 courts by reconstructing 12 courts and adding six new courts. The original courts had reached the end of their life. New match standard LED lighting was installed for all courts.
The project was recognised as one of the top priorities in the Wilfred Taylor Reserve Master Plan, created in 2019 in consultation with sporting groups and the local community.
The upgrade was made possible through funding from the federal government, council and SUNA. The federal government delivered $1.7 million towards the upgrade through the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure stimulus program. Council contributed $827,712 and SUNA contributed $300,000 toward the project.
Netball is the biggest participation sport for girls and women in Australia. It’s played nationally by 1.2 million people including a growing number of boys and men. The SUNA upgrade supports the significant growth in netball participation across the Onkaparinga area.
Netball used to be an exclusively winter sport, but SUNA now hosts the biggest summer netball competition in South Australia. In the past five years, SUNA has seen a 21 per cent increase in summer series players, and winter competition player numbers have increased by 38 per cent.
Approximately 230 teams are registered to play in the 2021-22 summer season, with players coming from clubs as far as Aldinga, McLaren Vale, Kangarilla, Blackwood, Clarendon, Marion and Hallett Cove. About 6000 people enter the gates at SUNA each week, including players, spectators and officials, with matches held on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday nights. SUNA also hosts club carnivals and a successful school competition.
SUNA General Manager Laurie Bilby says netball, like all team sports, has fantastic benefits for players and their families.
“Netball is great for improving mental health because of its social aspects in a fun environment. I see that as being critical for our young players, particularly those in the 15-to-17-year age group,” Laurie says.
While the court upgrades were in progress, netball competitions were split across three to four sites in the Onkaparinga region depending on the night.
“SUNA appreciates council’s support to allow our competition to continue throughout 2021-22,” Laurie says.
Since competitions resumed at SUNA in February, Laurie says the courts are a lot safer.
“The new acrylic surface is the same as the tennis courts at Rod Laver Arena, in Melbourne. There are no bumps to worry about now. We used to check the courts constantly for tripping hazards that appeared because of cracking that appeared overnight,” Laurie says.
Laurie says feedback about the upgrades from players, families and officials has been positive.
“The lights are amazing. I’m particularly looking forward to seeing them in winter,” Laurie says.
Council’s Project Officer Construction Alistair Mackie says the courts had been patched up as necessary over the years.
“When the top layer of bitumen was excavated, another layer was found underneath,” Alistair says.
The wet winter of 2021 presented challenges in building the new courts.
“The heavy clay soils at the site are highly reactive to moisture. The courts were built in challenging conditions while focusing on quality construction. Minor works are ongoing outside of the play area but will be completed soon,” Alistair says.
The new courts and lighting means SUNA is now the best facility in the state in terms of playability.
“Council is pleased to support the community to be active and healthy. Sporting organisations encourage people to get outdoors and spend time together,” Alistair said.
MORE INFORMATION
yoursay.onkaparinga.sa.gov.au/master-plan-wilfred-taylor-reserve
facebook.com/sunanetball