Victoria's State Netball and Hockey Centre to become national home of both sports

The Victorian Government has appointed contractor Kane Constructions to undertake  the redevelopment of the State Netball and Hockey Centre in Parkville into the national home of both sports – from the grassroots to the elite.

Backed by $64.6 million in the 2018/19 Victorian Budget, initial designs for the upgraded facility have also been unveiled, which will also deliver the inaugural Women in Sport Leadership Centre.

Kane Constructions is a Victorian builder and industry leader, with a solid track record in the delivery of elite and community sporting venues across Australia, including Stage 4 of GMHBA Stadium in Geelong.

Development Victoria is partnering with Sport and Recreation Victoria and the State Sport Centres Trust to manage the redevelopment project.

The upgrade will cement Parkville as the home for netball and hockey in Australia with six new indoor netball courts replacing the existing outdoor courts, a new indoor hockey facility, a high-performance strength and conditioning gym and a home for Netball Victoria and Hockey Victoria.

The redevelopment will also establish a home for the inaugural Women in Sport Leadership Centre, which will deliver Change Our Game initiatives get more women and girls participating in sport for more of their lives.

Commenting on what is the centrepiece of a record $225 million investment in women’s and community sport, Victorian Minister for Sport John Eren stated "with more than 6,000 netball and hockey enthusiasts hitting the centre’s courts and fields each week, this is the epicentre of hockey and netball in Victoria.

“This upgrade will expand the capability of the venue to host big events as well as kick-starting initiatives to drive cultural change and grow female leadership in sport.”

Construction is expected to start early next year with completion anticipated by 2021.