By Jonty Ralphsmith
There are fears that the growth of the Hampton Park Netball Club will be limited by the facilities at home venue Robert Booth Reserve.
There is one playable netball court at Robert Booth, and another currently unusable court which requires resurfacing.
With 84 participants across eight teams, Thursday night training is hectic, with senior sides often allocated a third of the court each.
It’s caused frustration within the club, which is consigned to having to subsequently turn away players as soon as next season.
Hampton Park lamented its single court compared to multiple courts at nearby Berwick, Narre Warren and Beaconsfield – though the latter is in the Cardinia Shire Council.
“The club is putting itself back on the map and we have a lot of players at other clubs saying they want to join,” said netball volunteer Melinda Wilson.
“Ideally, we could have 200 people and be a big happy family but we will have to be cut throat because we won’t be able to accommodate everyone.”
When contacted by Star News, the City of Casey said council officers would work with the club at alternate venues if requested, but a key factor behind the growth of the club has been the closeness of the football and netball clubs.
Four of the club’s five senior teams are competing in the South East Premier Netball League to enable them to play at Robert Booth Reserve.
The club previously competed solely in the Southern Netball League, which played games at Rowans Road, Dingley, with the club partially attributing a decline in participation during this time to the separation.
“Having netball and footy together brings a different atmosphere which you wouldn’t get without the support of the footy,” said player Chloe Gilland.
“To get the best out of netball and footy, you need corroboration between both sports.”
As well as allowing multiple games to occur simultaneously, the club is seeking a second court to increase the space on training nights. Further, currently, a shelter separates the used and unused court, which many within the club want to see renovated.
“(Having one court) is frustrating because players have things they want to work on but are unable to but we have to make it work.
“The club is willing to work with council and raise funds if that’s what it takes, we’re willing to put in whatever yards we need to to get two courts and a new surface up and running.”
The Robert Booth Reserve Master Plan, published by the City of Casey in April 2021, lists the following netball projects as medium-term priorities.
– Renew the existing netball court
– Remove existing netball shelters and install a new shelter
– New netball half-court
The club’s hopes of funding allocation follows the redevelopment of the football/cricket club pavilion and works at the tennis club which is also in the sporting complex.
The City of Casey did not specify a timeline for the works, but highlighted the tennis club pavilion is the next major capital works project outlined for the reserve.
“Any infrastructure works undertaken at the Robert Booth reserve netball facilities are subject to Council’s annual budget and reviewed against all Council projects to determine the highest priorities,” said City of Casey Manager Active Communities, Angie Peresso.
“The master plan is due for administrative review next year. At this time, all projects, implementation timelines and costings would be reviewed and potentially updated to align with any changes needed at the site.
“It’s wonderful to see the popularity of netball increasing and the club growing.
“Any funds raised by the club and put forward to Council will be considered.
“However, if Council funding is also required, allocation of funding will still be subject to Councils annual budget adoption process and reviewed against all Council projects to determine the highest priorities.
“In the meantime, Council officers will continue to work with the club at alternate venues should the club request additional access.”
