Emma Pritchard

She said she didn’t want to cry, but as President of the Grafton Netball Association (GNA) Brooke Burton oversaw the official opening of the brand-new netball courts in Westward Park on June 24, she couldn’t prevent tears of joy from running down her cheeks.

Throughout the past 16 months, she has watched one of the most frequently used sporting facilities in the Clarence Valley undergo significant upgrades to increase and improve accessibility and safety for players, spectators, and officials, while also providing extra seating and shaded areas, and additional LED energy efficient lighting to enable more games to be played during the evenings.

As the large crowd of former and current players, staff members, life members, representatives from Clarence Valley Council (CVC), and Member for Clarence Richie Williamson applauded loudly when the ribbon was cut in two, Ms Burton said it was a wonderful day for netball in Grafton.

“This means so much to us,” she said appreciatively.

“We feel so proud of the facilities we now have in place to offer our local clubs, visiting clubs, and everyone who utilises the netball courts.

“These upgrades are fantastic, and we’re so thankful to everyone who had a hand in making them possible.”

As she graciously performed a Welcome to Country, proud Bundjalung and Gumbaynggirr woman Aunty Jo Randall shared stories of her experiences on the netball courts as a nine-year-old member of the St Joseph’s Primary School team.

“I played here in 1970,” she said.

“I made a lot of friends here, and those friends are still in my heart.

“It’s so wonderful to be back here, and to see how great the new courts look.”

Funded by the NSW State Government who secured a grant of close to $1 million through the Regional Sports Facility Fund in partnership with CVC and the GNA, the upgrades also include the construction of eight new netball courts, as well as two feature courts, which have already received plenty of praise from players who have set foot on the eye-catching smooth purple surfaces.

Speaking on behalf of CVC Mayor Ian Tiley, Councillor Allison Whaites said the netball courts are used extensively by four clubs; the Grafton Rhinos, Northside Netball Club, City Netball Club, and the S&S Netball Club, and with their condition deteriorating through the years, council identified them as needing significant upgrades and improvements.

“This has been a great investment for the sporting community,” she said proudly.

The GNA also had an additional reason to cheer on the weekend as they celebrated their 60th birthday, with guests invited to stay for a slice of cake and a sausage sizzle following the official reopening of the netball courts.