Sport
9 May, 2024
Home court advantage
THE Bloods will play their first game on the recently refurbished home courts at Mortlake’s DC Farran Oval this weekend.
The $70,000 project to improve the safety and the aesthetics at the netball courts have had the finishing touches placed and are ready for a game-day debut.
Mortlake Recreation Reserve committee of management chair Jacinta Wareham said the club was looking forward to seeing the netballers and spectators alike enjoy the new facilities which meet Netball Victoria standards.
“We’re very excited,” she said.
“It’s been a long time coming and there were some safety issues, so it’s really good to know that it is safe to use.
“In addition, it’s just a great new surface.
“It’s exciting to come here now and see it all ready to go.”
Two courts have been resurfaced with a modern, acrylic coating, with one marked purely for netball and the other marked for netball and tennis.
Both courts are also under lights, allowing for night games.
In addition to the court resurfacing, a shelter has also been purchased which will be installed between the two courts.
Mrs Wareham said the netballers were eager to get out on the new home court, that early feedback from practice had been positive.
“They have had a couple of training sessions on it because it is a bit of a different surface,” she said.
“Everyone so far seems to have really positive views about the surface.
“I think they’re all quite keen to get out there and give it a go.”
The project has long been in the pipeline after the committee grew concerned the general wear and tear on the dilapidated former courts could potentially pose a safety issue.
“We had an issue with the previous surface where there was some white stone that was coming to the top, which was making the court slippery and like marbles,” Mrs Wareham said.
“We had to look at resealing it either with another hot mix, or with this modern, progressive type of surface.
“This seems to be the more popular surface in bigger towns like Geelong, Melbourne and Ballarat.
“They say it’s a bit easier on the legs with a slight cushion effect, and a little bit more gritty - so it’s easier to stop and start.”
The project was funded with a grant from Moyne Shire Council through the Federal Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure program, in addition to contributions from Dundonnell Wind Farm and Origin Energy.
“We’re really appreciative of the support,” Mrs Wareham said.
The resurfacing is the first step in a larger plan to overhaul the facilities at DC Farran Oval in support of the burgeoning number of young women getting involved in sport, with the wheels in motion on plans to develop a change room specifically for female athletes.
