ACT Minister for Sport and Recreation Yvette Berry tries her hand at netball at the new courts in Jacka. Photo: ACT Government.
There’s not much in Jacka yet. But as the estimated 1800 residents continue to trickle into the ACT’s northernmost suburb over the coming years, they’ll enjoy a sparkling new space to play one of the Territory’s biggest sports.
As part of a $7 million project to upgrade all five ACT netball facilities, the government has opened a new one in Jacka.
The four fenced courts, located at 10 Doszpot Way, will eventually be joined by eight more, LED lighting (for night play) and a pavilion.
“This will be an incredible facility for a sport that is growing at a rapid rate,” ACT Minister for Sport and Recreation Yvette Berry said at the official opening earlier this week.
“It’s one of the most popular sports in the ACT – with over 12,000 participants – and we know Gungahlin has always been a little bit short on netball facilities so this will make a huge impact once it’s completed.”
Jacka’s courts follow upgrades to the Arawang District Netball Facility in Stirling and Canberra District Netball Facility in Lyneham.
The Canberra Netball Association won a $454,430 share of the Federal Government’s $30-million community sport infrastructure program in 2019 for Lyneham alone, designed to upgrade the original toilet block facilities and refurbish and extend the main building with changing rooms, a community meeting room and kitchenette.
The next stage of upgrades in South Canberra (Deakin), Tuggeranong (Calwell) and Belconnen (Charnwood) started last month.
Local netball players join the official opening ceremony at the Jacka courts on Monday (16 December). Photo: ACT Government.
“Works at each site include court replacement and drainage improvements and are expected to be completed in March 2025, in time for the start of the winter netball season,” Ms Berry said.
It comes as Netball ACT looks to maintain its place as the number one sport for women and girls in the ACT.
“We’ve got with us here some local netballers from this side of town who are really excited to see this new development,” Netball ACT CEO Sally Clark said.
“Come March next year, we’ll have some of the best outdoor facilities here, which is just great … There’s a lot of evidence to show the standard of a facility is one of the key factors parents consider when placing their child in a sport.”
The ACT Government has also committed nearly $1 million to expand the Belconnen Basketball Stadium.
The Basketball ACT (BACT)-owned facility on Oatley Circuit will receive $938,000 for three new indoor courts. The upgrade can also convert into a temporary show court with retractable seating for up to 1800 people.
“Basketball ACT has emphasised the need for community-based basketball and multi-sport indoor facilities in Gungahlin, Belconnen, Woden and Tuggeranong,” CEO Nicole Bowles said.
“The development and expansion of the Belconnen Basketball Stadium is a key first step towards achieving increased facility access for the basketball community.”
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