Despite pouring rain on Saturday Armidale’s netball fraternity turned out in strength to celebrate the opening of two new hard courts at the Lynch’s Road complex.
Under an umbrella Member for Northern Tablelands Richard Torbay performed the official opening on centre court with Netball Association President Kathy McMahon, Liaison Officer Julie Gates and representative of the chief sponsor of the sport locally, Armidale Bowling Club CEO Phil Wheaton.
The all weather surfacing of the two new courts was funded at a total cost of $263,000 through grants from the Commonwealth Local Community Infrastructure Projects scheme, Armidale Dumaresq Council and the Armidale Sports Council.
“Netball is the major sport for women in our region with 800 registered players from all age groups,” Mr Torbay said.
“Today shows how enthusiastic they are with the games proceeding despite the rain and also the great community support for their activities.
“It also demonstrates how the systematic upgrade to hard courts makes a big difference for players and their supporters.”
He said that with 10 hard courts and six grass courts the Armidale Association could now host more inter-district competitions and offer greater opportunities for players.
“The Armidale Sports Council has played a very significant role in putting together the funding for this project and are to be congratulated for their dedication to improving playing conditions for sportspeople in the city and district,” Mr Torbay said.
He also paid tribute to the local volunteers who give so much time to organising netball in the area.
“Without them, we would not have the infrastructure nor the level of support the players receive,” he said.
“Arranging games, umpires, coaching and competitions is an enormous job and as we can see today it all works so well regardless of the weather.”
