Third court at Imperials would help all River Murray netballers

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The Imperial Netball Club is a powerhouse in the River Murray association, bursting with players and volunteers, strong support from its sponsors and a shelf full of trophies.

But there’s one thing it doesn’t have: enough space.

With just two of the ageing courts at Murray Bridge’s Johnstone Park still useable for matches and training, the club is angling for funding that would give it a third.

Project leader Sarah Smith said the need was dire, and not just for the Blues girls who needed to train on two separate nights to fit everyone in.

“We’ve got something like 120 or 140 registered participants, but over 1000 girls across the RMNA compete at these courts every year,” she said.

“We’ve got ... people coming from Lameroo and Pinnaroo who have to start (playing) at 7.30 in the morning because we’ve only got two courts.

“It’s not fair that they have to start driving so early.”

The courts were built around 40 years ago, back when the netball club was founded.

They were last resurfaced more than 20 years ago, but only designed to last for a decade.

“Our volunteers have kept them going well outside their lifespan, which bodes well for us,” Ms Smith said.

President John DeMichele said Imps had raised more than $50,000 towards an upgrade over the past 10 years, mostly in takings from their match day canteen.

But the cost of getting a new court had increased faster than that.

“All the materials, trades and expenses have gone through the roof,” he said.

Without external funding, he didn’t see how a country sporting club – even a big one – could afford to build the facilities it needed.

Imperials recently made the cut as one of two local clubs invited to apply for funding from the federal government’s Play Our Way program, which will make almost $200 million available for female sporting facilities around Australia over the next three years.

The club hopes to secure $800,000 for three courts, plus a creche which would allow mums with young children to get back into netball instead of phasing out.

It would also increase the clear distance around the courts

The proposal has the support of the RMNA and its other clubs.

“We want to emphasise reducing and removing barriers,” Ms Smith said.

“It’s about time us girls got a bit of a leg-up.”

Footy players only need one oval, but netballers need more than one court

Tailem Bend’s netball courts might be the pride of the River Murray association at the moment, having been recently upgraded despite the best efforts of an email scammer.

Mypolonga will soon get a fourth court, too, thanks to a Thriving Regions Fund grant announced in May; and Jervois and Pinnaroo have three each.

But most RMNA clubs need to be a bit more creative with their match scheduling.

The two Murray Bridge clubs each have two courts, as do Coorong and Mallee Districts’ home venues – Coonalpyn, Karoonda, Meningie, Peake and Tintinara – plus Lameroo.

• Four courts: Mannum, Tailem Bend
• Three courts: Jervois, Mypolonga, Pinnaroo
• Two courts: Coonalpyn, Imperials, Karoonda, Lameroo, Meningie, Peake, Ramblers, Tintinara