Western Australia's home of netball has been rebadged as the Gold Netball Centre in the latest funding boost reflecting the growing presence of women's sport in the mainstream.
The former State Netball Centre will be sponsored by the Gold Industry Group and known as the Gold Netball Centre for at least the next three years.
The agreement follows the history-making $5 million deal struck in April between Gold Industry Group and Netball WA - the biggest investment in netball in WA history and a major milestone for commercial interest in women's sport.
That agreement allowed Gold Industry Group to become the major partner for Netball WA, West Coast Fever and the Shooting Stars program, as well as picking up naming rights to the West Australian Netball League.
The Gold Netball Centre is home to Netball WA, the West Australian Netball League and community netball games - with the West Coast Fever using the facility for training and their development program.
The centre includes four netball courts, nine competitors' change room facilities, spectator seating for 1050 people and associated amenities. The venue caters for multi-sport activities and includes universally accessible facilities. The offices of Netball WA are also located within the venue.
Gold Industry Group is a not-for-profit, member-based industry association, which collectively champions the importance of the gold sector in Australia.
As stated by Sport and Recreation Minister Mick Murray:
"Western Australian netball has achieved some remarkable milestones this year in terms of promoting women's sport into the mainstream and securing genuine funding opportunities to support the game's growth.
"For too long major commercial opportunities like naming rights and sponsorships were out of reach for women's sport - and it is terrific to see Gold Industry Group continuing to back these athletes to achieve.
"It is my strong hope the positive example set by Gold Industry Group and Netball WA with their partnership will spur more major funding deals in support of women's sport.
"This agreement will directly benefit Netball WA and help the State Government support high performance sport, grassroots clubs, and enhance our facilities for the thousands of Western Australians who attend this venue each year."