Yarra City Council, in partnership with the Victorian Government, has opened new netball courts and a pavilion following a $3 million redevelopment in the municipality.
The Ryan’s Reserve courts and Mary Rogers Pavilion were officially opened on the weekend.
The redevelopment included four new netball-compliant courts and a new, modern sports pavilion with inclusive change spaces and facilities, and will support growing participation in netball across Yarra.
Yarra Mayor, Sophie Wade said Council was pleased to work with the Victorian Government to deliver the project.
“We know participation in netball is growing across Yarra and the inner-city and projects like these provide the spaces our communities need to meet this growth,” the Mayor said.
“Council is committed to seeing more women and girls participating in community sport and having appropriate, modern and accessible facilities to do so.
“We’re looking forward to seeing the new courts and pavilion at Ryan’s Reserve put to good use and seeing netball continue to go from strength to strength across the inner-city,” she said.
Participation in netball is expected to grow by over 15% by 2026 with 1,500 additional players expected to take up the sport in Yarra over that period.
The Mayor said Council was committed to working and advocating for greater investment in community sport across Yarra and ensuring that local residents and clubs have the facilities they need to meet current and future demand.
Named after the first female Councillor in Victoria, the new Mary Rogers Pavilion includes:
• new inclusive change facilities;
• a community social space, kitchen and first aid facilities;
• accessible toilets and external public access toilet;
• access ramps and public foyer;
• additional bike racks.
Council contributed an additional $50,000 to enhance the project with new community sports infrastructure, including basketball rings and tennis equipment.
