New Yarra Bend Park Netball Centre opens for local netballers and state competitions

The new Yarra Bend Park Netball Centre in Melbourne’s north-east has officially opened with the courts and new pavilion a boon for local netballers, providing a great base for training, social netball, and competitions, and also allowing for state tournaments.

The new courts are complete with competition-grade lighting, bike racks, newly landscaped areas, pathways and increased parking. The courts will be available for school and public use outside training and competition hours, with one of the courts also line-marked for basketball.

The new pavilion, located between the netball courts and the Fairlea West Oval, includes female friendly change rooms, spectator viewing areas, a kitchen and meeting rooms.

Chief Executive of Yarra Netball Association Karren Clark advised “this venue will allow us to bid for regional and state events and be competitive as a tournament venue.”

Victorian Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence officially opened the new Yarra Bend Park Netball Centre, fully funded through an $8 million investment from the State Government’s Opportunities in Victorian Parks initiative.

The pavilion has been named the Fiona Richardson Pavilion in honour of the former Minister for Women and Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence and local State Member for Northcote. Richardson served from 2006-2017, until her passing in 2017.

Minister Spence notes “Netball is booming, and this new venue ticks all the boxes when it comes to catering for growing demand.

“It is fitting to name the pavilion after my former colleague Fiona Richardson who had a vision for this facility to provide a focus for women’s sport and for netball in this community.”

The project was delivered by Parks Victoria in partnership with Sport and Recreation Victoria.