Basketball in Victoria has seen incredible participation growth in recent years, with an increase of 13,000 participants from 2022 to 2023 alone. To keep up with the massive growth basketball has seen across the state, Basketball Victoria has been working closely with local associations across the north and west of the state in particular to build and upgrade much needed facilities in these LGA corridors.
Going back almost ten years, the basketball community in the West witnessed one of the biggest development projects come to successful completion in 2016. Eagle Stadium in Wyndham sparked the broadening of stadium investment and development along the western corridor. An investment of $45 million dollars from Wyndham City, together with State Government and Federal Government allowed Eagle Stadium to increase their venue size by three times, going from 4 to 12 courts, as well as a new and modern show court seating up to 1500 people.
A further 18 courts between Selkirk Stadium (Ballarat) in 2019, Cobblebank Stadium (Melton) in 2022 and most recently Moorabool Aquatic and Recreation Centre (Baccus Marsh) in 2024 have been added along the Western Highway forming the western growth corridor project. Each of these facilities contain a show court that seat over 1000 people, with Selkirk Stadium’s show court holding an impressive 3000 spectators. Opening in 2019, Ballarat’s stadium quadrupled in size, from two courts to eight, and built an additional three 3x3 courts outside the venue, creating an exciting atmosphere for finals games and promoting new pathways for participation.
The development of Altona Sports complex in 2021, saw an injection of $90 million dollars (approx.) between four facilities in the Western region of Victoria to support the rapidly growing participation throughout the state.
The importance of infrastructure development throughout the state is crucial to ensuring all basketball enthusiasts have access to facilities and can provide communities with local competition to socialise and engage in physical activity. The CEO of Basketball Victoria Nick Honey has re iterated how “all levels of government have recognised the importance of providing both quality and compliant basketball facilities to cater for the significant growth in our sport”. Identifying how the local, state and federal government acknowledge the need for accessible facilities throughout Victoria. “In the last decade, western areas in Melbourne and areas in regional Victoria have seen an increase in participation. The new recreational facilities have the capacity to increase interaction and positively impact the local community” Nick Honey further added.
The development of facilities throughout the state is important as it brings individuals and communities together. David Huxtable, General Manager of Members and Participation Growth for Basketball Victoria, noted that research* shows “providing sporting and multipurpose facilities and then delivering various programs, can assist our children in being healthier and well balanced”. Huxtable’s comments reinforce the foundational benefits of ensuring all individuals and communities have a place to “develop their skills both on the court and in life”.
Recent development has also occurred throughout the northern regions of the state. Bendigo’s Red Energy Arena three court extension that opened in 2018, now provides 10 courts and a state-of-the-art show court with a capacity of 4,000, as well as 12 outdoor netball courts.
Development in the north also continues with the Macedon Ranges Sports Complex, which is due to open later this year. The Gisborne facility includes three basketball courts, external netball courts, cricket nets and an AFL oval. After stage one’s cost of $27.5 million, stage 2 has now been funded with $15 million by the Federal Government and $2 million by the Macedon Ranges Shire Council, to add an additional three courts and make this a six court facility. The second stage is will then add a second AFL oval, provide more car parking and landscaping of the site.
With multiple Victorian regions seeing a surge in basketball participation, it is abundantly clear that government at all levels, have identified the importance that sporting facilities have on all communities and individuals throughout the entire state.
The western and northern regions of Victoria continue to develop and invest in new facilities to combat the eastern dominance throughout past years. From Bendigo to Ballarat, such modern and state-of-the-art facilities throughout the west and north of the state, are ensuring Basketball Victoria and its affiliated member associations can support an increasing demand for facilities and provide everyone an opportunity to play our loved sport.
*Source: Australian Sports Commission - Intergenerational Review of Australian
Sport 2017
