Following consistent advocacy from Ms Yasmin Catley MP – Member for Swansea, $1.5 million from the Stronger Country Communities Fund Round Five has been allocated to upgrade the Molly Smith Netball Courts at Belmont.

The courts are used by Belmont Netball Club for training, as well as teams across Lake Macquarie and NSW for local and state competitions. However, significant water damage has left some of the netball courts damaged and unusable. The allotted funding will be used to ensure all 14 courts are suitable for use well into the future. 

Repairing the courts will create improved opportunities for women and girls to participate in the sport at all levels, creating pathways for athletes from grassroots to high performance. The courts will also meet current standards, with reconstruction including new lighting to extend the hours of use and improve participant safety.

Ms Catley also supported Lake Macquarie City Council in their application for the funding by providing a Letter of Support.

Ms Yasmin Catley MP – Member for Swansea said “I was pleased to hear that $1.5 million from the Stronger Country Communities Fund had been allocated towards upgrading Molly Smith Netball Courts”.

“As a mother of girls who use to play netball, I know how important the courts are to the community. Many flocking to the courts on Saturdays for the local comp”.

“It is truly a great outcome for the local community that these upgrades will take place, to ensure that all of the courts are useable”.

“I was proud to advocate for this project”.