The new Yarra Bend Park Netball Centre, fully funded through an $8 million investment from the Victorian Government’s Opportunities in Victorian Parks initiative, is now ready for action.

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.

The courts and pavilion are a boon for local netballers, providing a great base for training, social netball, and competitions, and will also allow for state tournaments. The new courts are complete with competition-grade lighting, bike racks, newly landscaped areas, pathways and increased parking.

The courts will be available for school and public use outside training and competition hours, with one of the courts also line-marked for basketball.

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 project was delivered by Parks Victoria in partnership with Sport and Recreation Victoria and created 56 jobs during construction and planning phases. The Government has now delivered 67 courts through the Inner City Netball Program.