Federal and State Government representatives joined local council leaders, Netball Queensland officials and community members for the opening ceremony at the corner of Rose and Hyne Streets, Gympie.
The facility will provide a vital hub for grassroots netball participation in the region, offering modern, fit-for-purpose courts and amenities to support the next generation of players, coaches, officials, and volunteers.
The total rebuild of Gympie’s courts was required after 3.6 metre floodwaters inundated the site in February 2022 with the Queensland and Australian Governments providing over $3.8 million in funding under Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements to assist with the costs.
The newly-built courts, facilities and infrastructure have been designed to better withstand future weather events and are expected to require minimal ongoing maintenance.
Acting Netball Queensland Chief Executive Glenn Dennis said the project was a shining example of government, community and sport working together.
“Today we’ve celebrated more than just a new facility - we’ve celebrated the future of netball in Gympie,” Dennis said.
“The 2022 floods left netball in Gympie with an uncertain future but through tireless work by association members, the wider community and the support of state and Federal governments we’re now today celebrating this wonderful new home for our sport in the region.
“This facility ensures local players have the same opportunities as those in metropolitan areas, strengthening pathways from grassroots right through to the elite game.”
Gympie and Districts Netball Association President Colleen Miller described the opening as a proud milestone for the community.
“The Home of Gympie Netball reflects the dedication of our team and the incredible support of our sponsors and the Gympie region schools over the last few years. With no place to call home after the floods in 2022, the schools and our netball community were instrumental in keeping our Association afloat,” Miller said.
“We look forward to welcoming our members and the community into the space and continuing to build a strong and positive future.”
Gympie Mayor Glen Hartwig said the reopening of the facility marked an important milestone for Gympie Netball.
“Our sporting groups are such a strong part of Gympie’s identity and it’s great to see the facility coming back better and stronger than before,” Cr Hartwig said.
“These facilities are critical in nurturing future sporting talent and play a huge role in bringing our community together, and I congratulate all involved in the delivery of this project.”
Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Senator for Queensland Anthony Chisholm said the facility reflected the tireless work and dedication of Gympie’s netball association and wider community.
“After the 2022 flood event, the Gympie netball community was left with an uncertain future, so it was important our government offered the right support to ensure grassroots and community sport in the region could thrive.
“These new facilities, made possible through the tireless work of volunteers and members, have been built back better, and will serve the community well into the future.
“I’d like to acknowledge the work Gympie Netball have done to get to this point and for providing opportunities for netball athletes locally and from surrounds to play year-round.”
Minister for Sport and Racing and Minister for Olympic and Paralympic Games Tim Mander said the Queensland Government was proud to support Gympie’s netball community to get back on its feet.
“The delivery of this state-of-the-art facility marks a new chapter for Gympie netball and an important step in the region’s flood recovery,” Mr Mander said.
“In addition to allowing the club to increase its membership and grow participation in netball, these upgraded facilities have been designed to be more resilient to future weather events.
“The modern courts and amenities will provide a place for the community to connect through netball, while continuing to develop the next generation of local sporting talent.”
Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien MP said that it was great to see a local sporting club that has been doing it very tough over the past few years begin to get back on their feet.
“The work by the Gympie and District Netball Association committee since their courts and clubhouse were flooded in 2022 to keep the association alive cannot be understated. I commend the work that Club President Colleen Miller and her team have done to provide winter and summer seasons over the past three and a half years, ensuring their members could continue to play in local competitions,” Mr O’Brien said.
“The investment of over $3.8 million dollars was well deserved, and the committee deserves much credit for their relentless fight for funding since 2022.
“I look forward to seeing the Association grow and improve with this renewal and I hope we can see more investment into sporting projects like this in our region going forward.”
