Ellenbrook netballers petition for courts at new complex

Current plans for the Ellenbrook playing fields do not include netball courts but local clubs say growing demand justifies their inclusion.

Association president Narelle Taylor said Ellenbrook netball had grown from just four teams to 27 teams in seven years.

‘The petition is for the City to consider netball facilities for the new development,’ she said.

‘We were not consulted in relation to the district open space. I don’t think the council even knew Ellenbrook netball existed, even though we pay the City to use the Coolomon courts each year.

‘We have two courts and 250 girls to cater for, so we have to try and fit them all in during the week and it becomes tricky.

‘We want the City to see if they can adjust their plans and include some netball facilities. Even two netball courts that could be shared with basketball would be great.’

Ellenbrook mum Kelly Kakarouchas said Ellenbrook netball catered for ages nine to adult and was a growing sport in the burgeoning area.

‘My 13-year-old daughter is entering her fifth season,’ she said. ‘It’s a massive netball area. So many of our teams have to play each other because other clubs don’t have anywhere near as many teams as Ellenbrook,’ she said.

‘The only courts in Ellenbrook are in Coolomon.

‘You have to get in early to book the times you want to train.

‘We have to train at 6pm because there are no other options,’ she said.

Ms Kakarouchas said there were football and soccer facilities for boys in Ellenbrook but ‘what about the girls’?

‘The only sport most girls want to play is netball,’ she said.

West Swan MLA Rita Saffioti said she shared the netball association’s concerns and would take up the issue with the City of Swan.