Jervois Netball Club needs better facilities
The Bluds hope to gain funding to support and increase women's sport in the community.
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At the moment, the players at Jervois Netball Club aren't getting their needs met.
Running a netball club out of two sheds isn't ideal for the volunteers, participants and supporters who love the Bluds.
The club has been in the community for more than 40 years, supporting locals.
But president Michelle Afford said it was hard for the club to live up to its full potential without having decent facilities.
"We don't have a safe space for people to change ... we don't have any shower or toilet facilities ... kids are having to change in their cars on Saturdays," she said.
"We've got temporary structures in place but there's no real proper facilities here."
Jess McKeown, a parent to two young netballers, said both her children would feel less self-conscious if they had a changing area.
"Currently both my daughters need to get changed in our car, as the toilets are always busy and there isn’t anywhere else for them to get changed," she said.
But the club has a plan.
The Bluds hope to build new, publicly accessible toilets; showers, more inside toilets and change rooms.
The club's volunteers would also be able to work in a new canteen, office and umpire room, and hang out in a common area.
"To have something our community can be really proud of ... our members all want to see it happen," Ms Afford said.
"It's just getting the funding ... has been the hard yards.
"It's not as simple as raising $5000-$10,000, we need a couple of hundred thousand dollars."
Club seeks funding from Play Our Way program
To meet the need, the club has applied for funding from the the federal government's Play Our Way program.
The program will help eligible organisations provide safe, inclusive, quality and sustainable facilities for women and girls with grants of between $50,000 and $2 million.
This would address the need for disabled amenities, additional public facilities, amenities and change areas for players, supporters and visitors.
Player would also benefit from:
- new storage for equipment
- an undercover training area
- a 27-metre verandah along the length of the building
- a verandah at side of building for toilet access
The new facilities would provide women and girls with a more comfortable environment to be involved in and support local sport.
"We're hoping that once we've got new facilities it will improve and increase our membership base and encourage more people to come and play," Ms Afford said.
"It's not a council-owned property, so we've had to fund everything ourselves (so far).
"We don't have any local shops ... so this is really a place for the community to come and feel like they belong."
A lot of older Jervois members had been waiting for something to change for a long time, she said – "we just really want to see that icing on the cake where it actually happens".
Netballers Indy Braun, Harper Thiele and Matilda Mason and their clubmates say the toilets at Jervois are small and not very clear. Photo: Jervois Netball Club.
What do others say about the need for new facilities?
Junior player Indy Braun said she got changed in her car because people were waiting and it made her feel rushed and uncomfortable.
"Maybe if the people in charge knew that the change rooms need to be bigger and cleaner, they could fix it," she said.
"We need a space to chat as a team, prepare our uniforms, go to the toilet without rushing and not have to stand in the wind and rain waiting for a toilet spot to be free."
Federal MP Tony Pasin said he saw first-hand how the existing structure was outdated at a recent River Murray Netball Association elimination final.
"I have given my support to this project, which will provide appropriate and modern facilities, including much-needed changing facilities," he said.
"Sporting clubs such as the Jervois Bluds Netball Club play an important role within the fabric of small communities, and it is imperative that facilities are safe, functional and fit for purpose to ensure women and girls continue to participate in physical activities."
- Support Jervois Netball Club's pitch for facilities funding: Take the survey at www.surveymonkey.com.
