Inverell Netball Association celebrated the opening of the new facilities with Inverell Shire Council today, with club volunteers providing a free sausage sizzle to netballers and their families.

The upgrade will provide close to 250 netballers with a cushioned Plexipave court surface, which is expected to improve comfort and safety for netballers.

Inverell Shire Council mayor Paul Harmon says the new acrylic surface has been completed ahead of the 2018 season launch and will provide players with better grip and a more even surface compared to the old asphalt courts.

“The new acrylic surface means the eight netball courts will have a longer asset life and court temperatures will be up to 7 degrees lower than the former asphalt surface”.

Inverell Netball Association president Teena Myler believes the upgraded facilities will open up new avenues for netball in Inverell.

“The lighting will mean we can train under lights and play for longer as well as host games at night”.

“The courts also have markings to cater for Fast Five games and we are looking at starting a Fast Five mixed tournament over summer under lights”.

“We’re so grateful for Council’s support with the upgrade. The old courts were really hard on the body and we expect there will be a lot fewer injuries with the new surface”.

“When it decides to rain again, we will also have fewer games abandoned due to wet weather, so we can host bigger carnivals and regional carnivals as well”.

Week three of the netball season continues next Saturday. Further details available at www.facebook.com/InverellNetballAssociation.

MORE PHOTOS TO COME.