SHEPPARTON OVERLOOKED

AS DESTINATION

FOR BASKETBALL AUSTRALIA NATIONAL EVENTS

 

With the announcements by Basketball Australia (BA) of the locations for the 2018 National Basketball Championships, Shepparton has been overlooked.

 

“This is a very disappointing result.” Greater Shepparton Basketball General Manager, Stacey Cole said today.  “We have a great track record for running events, we have demonstrated the value that holding events in Shepparton has, but we are putting forward a court structure and stadium that is 50 years old.”

 

Council has completed a feasibility study that has demonstrated the urgent need to redevelop the current stadium and with exceptional growth in local basketball participation (83% in the 4-year period from 2012 to 2016).

 

Basketball Victoria Country (BVC) General Manager, David Huxtable echoed the thoughts of the local association.  “Shepparton Basketball has an excellent reputation for running events and Vic Country has been more than happy to bring events to Shepparton.  We are, however constantly challenged regarding the stadium, which fails to meet contemporary leisure industry standards.”

 

“It is evident that Basketball Australia considered the ageing infrastructure as too much of a negative too overcome.”  David continued.

 

The Greater Shepparton Basketball Association (GSBA) together with Council’s Events Team has been highly active in attracting and hosting major championships, tournaments, events and training camps in the past, despite the restrictions that the stadium has.

 

It is estimated that the economic benefit as a result of existing GSBA events and tournaments is around $9 million per year.

 

“BA’s decision to take the National U18 event to Geelong, demonstrates that if the stadium redevelopment does not occur soon, other events will also move away from this area.” Stacey said.

 

With Bendigo’s stadium $20m redevelopment reaching the final stages, Ballarat securing $24m to redevelop their stadium, Traralgon stadium recently been approved for a $17 million redevelopment, Shepparton will fall behind as a destination for events and will not be able to cater for the local growing participation rates.

 

“The average court provision per head of population in Regional Victoria is about 1 court per 6,700 people, Shepparton’s ratio is 1 court per 16,750 people.” David concluded.

 

Extension of the existing Shepparton Sports Stadium, located within a broader active sports precinct, presents an opportunity to consolidate facilities and establish a Reginal Hub in line with best practice industry trends.

 

“GSBA has demonstrated this is an immediate need and will continue to lobby all levels of government for this important redevelopment for Shepparton.” Stacey said.