Netballers in Melbourne’s northeast now have access to eight competition-standard netball courts and a modern shared-use sporting pavilion at Fairlea Reserve in Yarra Bend Park, offering more opportunities for women, girls and junior-levels to participate in community sport. 

The new courts are complete with competition-grade lighting, bike racks, newly landscaped areas, pathways and increased parking.

The new pavilion, located between the netball courts and the Fairlea West Oval, includes female friendly change rooms, spectator viewing areas, a kitchen and meeting rooms.

The new facilities provide local netballers with a great base for training, social netball and competitions, as well as state tournaments. The courts are also available for school and public use outside of training and competition hours, with one of the courts also line-marked for basketball.

Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence officially opened the new facilities, which were delivered by Parks Victoria in partnership with Sport and Recreation Victoria, thanks to funding from an $8 million investment from the Victorian Government’s Opportunities in Victorian Parks initiative.

The pavilion has been named the Fiona Richardson Pavilion in honor of the former Minister for Women and Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence and local State Member for Northcote.  Fiona served from 2006-2017, until her passing in 2017.

These facilities come as a valued addition to the existing soccer, cricket and fly-fishing sporting options within the Fairlea Park Precinct.

For more information about the project head to the Fairlea Reserve Netball Courts and Pavilion project page.

Pictured above: The new Fiona Richardson Pavilion at Fairlea Reserve in Yarra Bend Park.

Pictured above: Minister for Community Sport, Ros Spence officially opening the new netball facilities at Fairlea Reserve in Yarra Bend Park.