South Australian Government commits to upgrade of ageing Netball SA Stadium

The South Australian Government has committed to begin immediate planning to rejuvenate Adelaide’s ageing Netball SA Stadium at Mile End as the new home venue for the Adelaide Thunderbirds.

With the Thunderbirds set to play the NSW Swifts in front of a sold-out crowd in Melbourne tomorrow night in the 2023 Suncorp Super Netball Grand Final, the South Australian Government has also advised that it has secured the rights for Adelaide to host the League’s 2024 Grand Final at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre (AEC).

The announcement comes as the South Australia Government confirms it has reached agreement to secure the Adelaide Entertainment Centre as the new home court for the Adelaide Thunderbirds.

Discussions facilitated by the South Australia Government with Netball South Australia and the Adelaide Thunderbirds management have paved the way for the netball team to play their homes games at the AEC from next season, allowing them to grow their passionate fan base even further.

In turn, the move of elite netball to the AEC will allow work to commence on redeveloping the ageing Netball SA Stadium.

Netball SA has been advancing a concept for a redevelopment of the former Priceline Stadium as a new ‘home of netball’ in Adelaide’s east since 2021.

Commenting on the changes, South Australian Premier, Peter Malinauskas stated “the significance of the move of the Thunderbirds to the Entertainment Centre can’t be understated

“It will provide an opportunity to grow crowds at the elite level of the game - but more importantly, it will provide us the freedom to take proper action to upgrade Mile End netball stadium, for the tens of thousands of netballers who use it each year..”

Netball Australia Chief Executive, Kelly Ryan added “this partnership will create a legacy for the future generations of South Australian netballers.

“Beyond the 2024 Suncorp Super Netball Grand Final, the South Australian Government’s investment in the sport will boost our ability to grow both the grassroots and elite levels.

“Demand is stronger than ever for netball.”

The need for an upgrade of the venue was highlighted in March when a power outage contributed to the abandonment of a Suer Netball clash between the Thunderbirds and the NSW Swifts has been declared a draw after a power outage at the Netball SA Stadium.

The match ran out of time in the allocated two-hour period after a pre-game delay for the removal of advertising decals on the court surface and then the power issue.

Likely options for an upgrade of the venue might include spending up to $80 million for a complete revamp that could increase capacity anywhere from 4,000 to 5,000 while a smaller investment closer to $20 million would potentially see the instalment of a fourth grandstand at the southern end of the existing main court.

Previously, Netball SA Chief Executive, Bronwyn Klei has spoken of the need to update the stadium, telling the ABC “our stadium … was built in 1997 (and) is no longer fit for purpose, and we are looking for a significant upgrade to the facilities to create a proud home of netball in South Australia.

"The bottom line is it would be difficult for the Adelaide Thunderbirds to continue to play at the venue without a significant upgrade."

The Adelaide Thunderbirds and the NSW Swifts are expected to play in front of a sold out crowd in Melbourne tomorrow night when they go head-to-head in the 2023 Suncorp Super Netball Grand Final. 

Image: Netball SA's 2021 concept for Adelaide's new 'Home of Netball'.