The City of Greater Geelong is confronting a severe netball court shortage that threatens the sport's growth and accessibility across the region, according to a landmark strategy released by Netball Victoria.
Critical Infrastructure Deficit Exposed
Netball Victoria's 2026-2028 Statewide Facilities Strategy has revealed that Greater Geelong requires more than 70 additional netball courts to meet current and future demand. The comprehensive assessment highlights how the region's infrastructure has failed to keep pace with the sport's booming popularity.
The strategy identifies that Geelong faces the most pressing court shortage in regional Victoria, with existing facilities struggling to accommodate the thousands of players who regularly participate in local competitions. Netball participation in the region has grown by 15% over the past five years, placing unprecedented pressure on available courts.
Regional Impact and Participation Numbers
Across the broader Barwon region, which includes Geelong and surrounding areas, the situation is equally concerning. The strategy indicates that the Barwon region needs approximately 120 new netball courts to properly serve its community of players and supporters.
Netball Victoria CEO Andrea Pearman emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that without immediate action, the sport risks turning away potential participants. "We have a responsibility to ensure that everyone who wants to play netball has the opportunity to do so," Pearman said. "The current infrastructure deficit in Geelong is preventing this from happening."
Call for Collaborative Action
The strategy serves as both a warning and a roadmap for addressing the critical shortfall. It calls for significant investment from all levels of government and highlights the need for strategic partnerships between Netball Victoria, local councils, and community organizations.
City of Greater Geelong officials have acknowledged the findings and indicated they are reviewing the strategy to determine how to incorporate its recommendations into future planning and budget considerations. The council faces the challenge of balancing multiple competing infrastructure priorities while addressing this specific sports facility crisis.
The netball court shortage in Geelong reflects a broader pattern across regional Victoria, where many communities are experiencing similar infrastructure pressures. Netball Victoria's strategy represents the first comprehensive attempt to quantify the scale of the problem and provide concrete solutions for the coming years.
Local netball clubs in Geelong have welcomed the strategy, noting that many have waiting lists for players and struggle to find adequate training times due to court unavailability. The situation has become particularly acute during evening hours and on weekends when demand peaks.
