Home game advantage

Sports players celebrate as work begins on the future Regional Sports Precinct in Mernda.

Netballers in the northern suburbs are excited at the prospect of having purpose-built courts close to home to play and train on.

The ever-growing popularity of netball means that courts are at a premium, with players regularly having to travel outside the municipality.

But with work ramping up on the Regional Sports Precinct in Mernda, there is relief in sight.

Preliminary groundworks are under way on the Everton Drive site on which an indoor stadium housing four multi-purpose courts and up to eight outdoor netball courts will sit.

Work on the gateway to the Regional Sports Precinct started in April with the extension of Everton Drive to Plenty Road and the creation of a new intersection.

The roadworks, which are expected to continue until early next year, will provide safe and convenient access to the sports precinct.

Mernda Netball Club secretary Alicia Frigo, whose daughter Ruby took up netball about four years ago, said the club had outgrown the area’s facilities.

“We have over 100 players and this season we’re looking at 14 teams and we have to have somewhere that accommodates us all year round – rain, hail or shine,” she said.

City of Whittlesea Chair Administrator Lydia Wilson said the precinct will help address the shortage of netball and basketball courts in the northern suburbs.

“Council is committed to ensuring residents across the municipality have easy access to the facilities they need to live healthy lifestyles,” she said.

The transport infrastructure servicing the future Regional Sports Precinct will be delivered by the City of Whittlesea in partnership with the Victorian Government.

For more information, visit Regional sports precinct in Mernda webpage.