14 Dec 2016 Seymour Telegraph, Seymour VIC (General News) by Alison OConnor Funding to upgrade inadequate facilities Netballers of Seymour, rejoice. No longer will you have to get changed in the back of the car or in the dingy toilet, with Kings Park soon to have state-of-the-art change rooms adjoining the netball court. The local sporting precincts netball facilities took a giant leap forward on Friday after the announcement by Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes, with construction to begin in March. If all goes to plan, it should be completed by August. The new change rooms, which will cater to the more than 200 netballers that use the facility each winter, will feature toilets, a first-aid room and umpires room. Ms Symes said the Victorian Government would kick in $100 000 from its Community Sports Infrastructure Fund, while the remainder of the $306 000 project will come from Mitchell Shire Council and the netball user groups. Ive been working closely with Craig (Velt, SFNC president) in particular, and I left here one day thinking this is insane, this has got to be a high priority, so were pretty glad to have achieved that, Ms Symes said. When we came to government we basically introduced a policy that was about reintroducing equality back in to sports. Just because you play netball doesnt mean you should be second best to the footballers. I would have liked to announce the netball court as well today but were still working on that one, but Im feeling pretty confident about that one too. Mitchell Shire Mayor Rhonda Sanderson, who has had a hands-on involvement in the development of the project, said the funding announcement was fantastic news for the entire community. Council has been working closely with the Kings Park committee of management as well as the football and netball clubs and junior netball association on this project, Mayor Sanderson said. The three football netball clubs and Seymour Junior Netball Association have contributed financially to the development of the facility, and this has helped Council confirm its contribution to the project and leverage this support to secure the government funding. This project will provide a better environment for everyone from our youngest netball players through to our oldest, as well as club members, officials, umpires and spectators. Member for Euroa Steph Ryan has been a tireless campaigner for this project from day dot, and she was also on hand to hear the exciting announcement. Before the 2014 election, Ms Ryan and The Nationals made a commitment to Kings Park of $600 000 to help upgrade the facilities there. I was so disappointed after the election because I felt like $600 000 had just evaporated, so this is a really good step towards that and a good starting point for the facilities here at Kings Park, Ms Ryan said. There is still a definite need for a second court. This is fantastic but it doesnt address those capacity constraints that weve got at the moment because we have four clubs playing on one court, so well keep pushing for that. But it is fantastic that the girls now have somewhere to get changed. Caption Text: Happy: Member for Euroa Steph Ryan (back, second from right) celebrates the news with local netballers. Announcement: Mitchell Shire Mayor Rhonda Sanderson and Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes inspect the spot where the new change rooms will be built with the junior netballers. Pictures: Alison OConnor Licensed by Copyright Agency. You may only copy or communicate this work with a licence.