3 Apr 2008

Paul Lennon, MHA

Premier

Saturday, 29 March 2008

Premier Opens New STNA Netball Complex

Premier Paul Lennon, today officially opened the Southern Tasmanian Netball Association’s newly developed complex at Creek Road.

“This re-development represents a $1.7 million dollar investment by the State Government in netball in Tasmania – and I believe it is money well spent,” he said.

“Netball participation in Tasmania has increased by 10% in the past year.

“It is the number one organised team sport played by women in Tasmania and is gaining in popularity among men.”

The re-development includes:

• Two new indoor courts, a new scoreboard and public address system;

• A new link building, which includes a change suite for people with a disability, a parenting room and a meeting room;

• Greater energy efficiency as a result of a new gas hot water system, automatic sensor lighting and a new automatic exhaust system;

• Improvements to the existing stadium including a new section of retractable seating and permanent basketball goals.

“This new indoor stadium provides great potential, not just for netball, but for basketball and other indoor sports too, including much improved facilities and access for wheelchair athletes,” Mr Lennon said.

The new facilities are expected to generate gross revenue of over $50,000 every year, which STNA will use to build the capacity of the centre to cater to ever increasing demand.

A Women’s National League Basketball match has already been confirmed for October 2008, and discussions have commenced to host a round of the National Wheelchair Basketball League in 2008.

“I am told there is also the possibility Australian Netball League matches being secured for 2009, along with national championships for junior age groups in basketball and netball,” Mr Lennon said.

The Premier congratulated the Southern Tasmanian Netball Association on the work they had done to drive the project to its successful conclusion.

He also used the occasion to drive home the State Government’s commitment to get more Tasmanians involved in physical activity.

“Sport not only helps us to exercise, it teaches us about teamwork, about competition, about resilience – and reminds us of what we can achieve in life,” Mr Lennon said.

"I hope that these excellent new facilities encourage all those who play here to have fun, to keep fit, and to be the very best they can be in their chosen sport.”