The netball court at JH Hedges Memorial Oval in Maryborough is set to receive a significant $450,000 upgrade, delivering improved facilities for netball in the Central Goldfields Shire.
The project is welcome news for the Maryborough Giants Football Netball Club as well as clubs across the Maryborough Castlemaine District Football Netball League.
The upgrade will deliver:
- A new and improved court surface
- Installation of lighting compliant with training standards
- Courtside player shelters
- Construction of retaining wall
- Upgrades to the fenceline behind the court
The $450,000 project is fully funded by the Victorian Government as a commitment from the 2022 state election.
Initial site works have commenced, with the tender for the court construction works and lighting works to be advertised shortly. Construction of the new court is anticipated to take place during winter, with completion expected by August.
Council is currently working alongside the Maryborough Giants Football Netball Club, the Maryborough Castlemaine District Football League and the Maryborough Football Netball Club to secure alternative venues for Giants home football and netball games during the construction stage.
Central Goldfields Shire Mayor Cr Ben Green said it was always rewarding to see investment in local sporting infrastructure.
"Participation in sport in rural communities is so important, so to see these tired courts getting a boost is fantastic to see.
"Congratulations to the Maryborough Giants Football Netball Club and Council staff for their advocacy and thank you to Martha Haylett and the Victorian Government for their investment in local netball.
"It will be fantastic to see this court get underway and completed as soon as possible so it can be used during the latter half of the 2026 MCDFNL season."
Victorian Government Member for Ripon Martha Haylett said netball is part of the fabric of our community. Our players and members deserve the best facilities and that's what we're delivering."
"I cannot wait to see the new court, lighting, and shelter complete for the Maryborough Giants. Now they won't have to play on an old, cracked and slippery surface."
Maryborough Giants Football Netball Club President, Adam Balzan said it was a transformational project for the Maryborough Giants and the wider netball community.
"The upgrade to the JH Hedges court will not only provide our players with a safe, high-quality playing surface and compliant lighting, but it will deliver enormous benefits to the broader local community by creating a facility we can all be proud of.
"Strong facilities help drive participation, support junior development, and bring families together each week.
"We sincerely thank the Victorian Government and Central Goldfields Shire for supporting this project and recognising the importance of community sport."
