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WA Netball Centre first year hailed a success

Denise S. CahillWestern Suburbs Weekly

NETBALL WA chief executive Simon Taylor fondly recalls the opening of the State Netball Centre a year ago but says there is plenty more to look forward to.

“The ice baths are being installed in the recovery rooms and the high performance cameras installed in the off season are the first in Australian netball,” Taylor said.

The first birthday celebration for the $26 million facility was low key on Easter Monday.

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“The opening was a highlight (of the past year) because it was a long time in the making with a couple of last minute false starts with the fire,” Taylor said.

“To actually get to the point of being able to move in was a highlight too.

“We had our AGM with regional presidents a month later and we were able to do everything in this building.

“Association Championships were here this year, 10,000 people crammed in here and we have the National Championships for the Under-17s and 19s here in April.

“Then there’s the Uni Games in September.”

About 68,000 people walked through the doors of the State Netball Centre in the nine months it was open last year and netball participation in WA has increased from 137,000 to 178,000 in the past year.

Taylor said the new centre contributed to the West Coast Fever’s first finals appearance last year.

“I definitely think our ability to have a stable training environment supported our team’s processes,” he said.

“The State Government played a big part in that.”

Taylor said it was great to watch the Under-17s and 19s high performance programs train alongside the Fever.

“All the coaches interact, it’s a pleasure to watch,” he said.