Published on 22 May 2019

Good sports

Excitement is in the air among the teams, young and old, at Kangarilla Netball Club.

The 2019 season is underway, which means the resumption of fierce rivalries, nail-biting finishes and weekends spent with good friends. But there’s also excitement about what’s underfoot.

The council’s $1.2 million upgrade of the Kangarilla Recreation Ground has breathed new life into the clubs that use it, and into the community.

The upgrade included a rebuild of four netball/tennis courts, which had fallen into a state of disrepair, the installation of sports lighting and a new perimeter fence.

An access road, informal car parking, pedestrian paths and landscaping complete the project.

Kangarilla Netball Club president Jo James says the upgrade means a lot to the community.

“Like many small country towns, sport has always been the backbone of the community, bringing people together,” she says.

“Our community is also made up of other important groups including the CFS, school and progress associations, and the ability for them to all come together at one recreation facility is fantastic for the whole community and for our families.

“It’s not unusual for a mum to drop her daughter at the hall for a dance class and her other daughter to netball and then a son to football at the same time!”

Jo says it’s hoped the upgraded facilities will help attract new players to the various clubs that use the ground, which includes tennis, cricket and football.

“People are more likely to commit to a new club or sport when they can see there has been a significant investment put into it,” she says.

“It gives them confidence that they’re part of something that’s valued.

“We’ve had players contact us to join our club this year and we know one of their reasons was the new courts.”

Kangarilla Recreation Ground is just one of over 200 community sports and recreation facilities owned by the City of Onkaparinga, with many of these available for public use (Kangarilla public access will be organised soon).

You can peruse a list of the facilities near you at the City of Onkaparinga website, but here we spotlight five more that have been recently upgraded by council, helping to improve the wellbeing of our community.

Time for a kick, hit or a catch!

Port Noarlunga cricket nets, Britain Drive

If you’re looking for somewhere to hit a few cover drives, Port Noarlunga Cricket Club’s recently renovated nets are a perfect place. The revamped space features retractable netting, which creates a more flexible and multi-purpose enclosed space for a range of sporting and fitness activities, including batting, fielding and bowling. The space received a Recognition Award for Community Facility Project of the Year from the South Australian Cricket Association earlier this year, and you’re free to use it when not in use by the Club (it’s closed for winter when they’re locked). Call the club ahead of your session to make sure the nets aren’t in use or locked.

WM Hunt Reserve courts, Port Noarlunga

Previously the home of the Southern Districts Tennis Association, these courts have been line-marked and opened up for netball, tennis and community use. Go practise your forehand alongside the banks of the gorgeous Onkaparinga River/Ngangkiparri.

Admiralty Crescent community court, Seaford Rise

This community court was resurfaced in mid-2018 and has transformed from a tennis-only court to a Swiss army-knife of sporting facilities. You can now enjoy a spot of cricket, basketball, netball or tennis (or all four) while you’re there.

Riviera Road court, Sellicks Beach

Fancy yourself the next Tim Cahill or Sam Kerr? Go practise your skills at Sellicks’ recently revamped court, which features a pair of soccer goals as well as the capacity for tennis, basketball and netball play.

Woodcroft Farm Reserve, Woodcroft

Round up the crew, this multi-use facility on Dressage Avenue has almost every kind of athlete covered (well, maybe not golfers or surfers). There are two tennis courts, netball and basketball rings, soccer goals and cricket stumps alongside a table tennis table and a hitting wall for tennis (should you find yourself without an opponent). There’s also ample grass in the reserve for a kick of the footy.

Kangarilla Netball Club players on the upgraded Kangarilla Recreation Ground courts.