The home court advantage
Until recently, netballers like Christine Melnikas from Macleod had to travel far from home to play the sport they love. But thanks in part to Sport and Recreation Victoria, Macleod is now home to one of the best netball stadiums in Melbourne. Sport and Recreation Victoria invested $500,000 in the $5.9 million Banyule Netball Stadium.
Using a joint development approach, with Sport and Recreation Victoria, the Department of Education and Training and Macleod College, Banyule City Council was able to create a $5.9 million stadium used by both the school and the wider community.
“I’ve been playing netball for over 35 years and we always had to go to Heathmont or Box Hill to play so having it so close now is fantastic. It’s a lot more convenient and I wish it had been around when I was in my prime playing years,” said Christine Melnikas, Administrator of Banyule and Districts Netball Association.
During the day the stadium is used for a variety of sports by the college. After 4.30pm, is it used for netball and other sporting groups.
Opened in May 2003 and spread out over a massive 5000 square metres, it features four netball courts, movable seating to accommodate a crowd of 500, conference and exhibition facilities, cafe, netball shop, crèche, reception, commercial kitchen and offices from which community associations can administer their sport.
“When we first moved in mid 2003 we started off with no teams. Today, the facility is used by more than 300 teams, from under nines to open age,” Christine said.
With synthetic and timber floors, the facility is able to cater for a variety of sports.
“We have a group of elderly people who come in weekly for a fitness program, plus the stadium is used for tai kwon do, indoor hockey, even motorised miniature planes fly around in here on a Saturday afternoon,” Christine said.
The stadium is also used for special events, ranging from a role-playing conference to hosting a national karate tournament. It also functions as a local meeting venue, holding numerous training sessions and small functions for the community.
“Now that we have an indoor facility we are no longer at the mercy of the weather which is great. We’ve also been able to expose more students to sports such as table tennis and volleyball too,” said David Crowe, Sports Coordinator at Macleod College.
The concrete tilt slab and Colorbond complex has been designed to be energy-efficient and sustainable by maximising natural light and ventilation. In addition, rainwater is collected from the roof and used to flush toilets and water the surrounding gardens.
Read more about the Community Facility Funding Program – Major Facilities
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