Pickleball hits Newcastle for the first time

Beresfield netballers and pickleballers have been given a boost ahead of the new season with upgraded training facilities delivered as part of a $65,000 project to create a new multisport space for the community.

The revitalised community space has been upgraded with a dual netball and basketball court alongside a previously unused tennis court, which has been re-purposed to include facilities for Newcastle’s first pickleball court.

City of Newcastle completed the transformation of the Allendale Street facility in collaboration with the Beresfield and District Netball Club, which secured a $50,000 grant from the NSW Government with support from the State Member for Wallsend, Sonia Hornery.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said local projects such as the upgrade to the Beresfield netball court offer important opportunities for the community to engage in active and healthy lifestyles.

“We are pleased to have worked with the Beresfield and District Netball Club to deliver this innovative multisport community space ahead of the upcoming netball season and in time for the school holidays,” Cr Nelmes said.

“The project has also created Newcastle's first pickleball court, giving residents a place to try their hand at this inclusive, low-impact sport, which is now one of the fastest growing sports in the United States.

“This upgraded multisport facility will provide a great place for kids and adults to catch up with friends and enjoy some friendly competition.

“City of Newcastle is committed to enhancing our sporting and recreational facilities across the local government area, with plans to invest almost $20 million into new and improved parks, playgrounds, sporting and aquatic facilities as part of a record capital works program in our 2023/24 Budget."

The upgrade of the Beresfield netball courts was designed to provide safer, high performance court surfaces for the local netballers as training for the upcoming season begins.

The project involved court surface repairs, top coating and a new anti-slip surface on the netball court, where the installation of reversible towers with both basketball and netball hoops and dual line marking extended the potential use of the space. New tennis netting on the adjacent court and line marking for both tennis and pickleball completed the multiuse upgrade of the facility.

Beresfield and District Netball Club Committee Members worked with City of Newcastle to come up with a plan for the multisport upgrade, making it a community facility that would be embraced by current and future players.

"Beresfield Netball Club are very pleased with the outcome of this project. We are beyond grateful to all involved for delivering important sporting facilities that will without a doubt drive our local community teams ahead of the new season,” Beresfield and District Netball Club Secretary Leanne Blackie said.