By Derek Schlennstedt
Netball players at Healesville Football and Netball Club at Don Road sporting complex are approaching defence and attack in a new light.
Yarra Ranges Council has installed $90,000 worth of lights at the netball courts, thanks to a $70,000 funding commitment from the Federal Government, through Federal Member for Casey, Tony Smith.
Ryrie Ward Councillor, Fiona McAllister, said the four new lights would ensure the club would continue training and playing games at the Don Road sporting complex well into the future.
“The lights allow the teams to train and play in all conditions, including throughout the winter season when it gets darker during training in the late afternoon,” Cr McAllister said.
“In previous years, the club had been forced to train on the oval when daylight saving came to an end.
“The new lights will enable the club to schedule night games next year.”
Recently, the Indigenous Dreamtime match was held under lights at Woori Yallock between Healesville and Woori Yallock.
Next year’s Dreamtime match will be held in Healesville and Felix Fraraccio, president of Healesville Football Club, was ecstatic over the new facilities which will allow his club to hold night-time rounds.
“We’re absolutely ecstatic and very happy,” Felix said.
“We wouldn’t have been able to have next year’s Indigenous Round without these lights, so next year the game will be bigger and better.”
“The addition of the new lights are a welcome change which gives everyone the capacity to use a dry area under lights if the grounds get wet, and it just further adds to the development of the sporting complex which, with all the new facilities, could truly be one of the great sporting complexes in the valley.”
Council will also be installing new lighting at Coldstream and Montrose in the coming months which were also jointly funded by Council and the Federal Government.
Mr Smith said the lights at Healesville would be beneficial not only for the netballers at the club but also for other players who use the courts during competition.
“I am committed to building stronger local communities and, through this funding, our local high-achieving netballers will have more options and flexibility when they play their games, with the additional option of evening competitions.
“These lights will make a welcome addition to the sporting facilities in Montrose, Coldstream and Healesville and allow for even more people to enjoy the courts.”
The project was made possible by a $70,000 Federal Government election commitment by Mr Smith and $105,000 from Council.
