A basketball association on the Bellarine Peninsula says the need for better infrastructure is now a necessity for its young members, with safety a major concern.
The association, which held a fair Sunday to raise awareness and funds towards repurposing Point Lonsdale Primary School’s outdoor courts, has grown from two teams to 23 in just two years of existence.
While several associations across the Bellarine have been hit with a court squeeze amid the explosive growth of the sport, for the PLBA, they remain the only one without a full hardwood court at their disposal.
Instead, training is instead largely facilitated on outdoor asphalt courts, and while there is the school’s indoor hardwood half-court, which is the only indoor hall in the Borough of Queenscliff, it is both lacking in size and with safety issues of its own.
PLBA president Ben Van Doren said the need for better basketball infrastructure was now a necessity for his players.
The association’s aim is to raise $120,000 through community support and grants to repurpose one full and two third-sized courts with an acrylic surface, and add four new adjustable rings.
“It’s a lot softer, think like a tennis court, so if the kids land on it, it’s still hard but it’s not like a cheese grater,” Van Doren said of the plans.
“We can’t push the kids to train on the courts that are out there (at the moment), it’s not acceptable.
“In winter, it’s almost a non-event… safety becomes an issue.
“The amount of times throughout the season the kids have got grazes all over their knees.”
“It’s about being able to train to your full potential.
“Hopefully we can get across the line to get something built.”
Bellarine Storm’s Dan Clifton was at the fair to support the project alongside youngsters Lucy, 9, Sam, 7, and Luca, 7. Picture: Mark Wilson
Friends Elka Smith, Evie Van Doren and Emily Dowsett, who were part of the association’s first team which ignited the boost in numbers, admitted scrapes and cuts were common when training.
“Lots of people get hurt, especially if it’s wet,” Evie said.
Sarah Webb, whose son Luca, 7, plays basketball, backed the campaign for better courts, adding it would benefit not just avid basketballers but the entire Point Lonsdale community including the school.
Webb praised the association for their work building up its ranks, adding her son was “obsessed” with the sport.
“He loves it, he’s got a little ring in his bedroom and practises every night before bed,” she said.
To donate to the project, head to https://asf.org.au/projects/point-lonsdale-basketball/facilities-project.