Collingwood urgently needs more basketball courts so our members have good facilities to play and train.

The committee has been working closely with Collingwood College to develop a proposal for the State Government and local City of Yarra Council to build two new courts.

We are now getting close to realising our dream of having three courts at Collingwood College:

• We have strong support from our local member and senior cabinet minister, Richard Wynne
• We have a preliminary design supported by Collingwood College

What are we missing? A contribution from the City of Yarra.

With the council elections on Saturday 22 October, this is our big opportunity to seek the support of councillors to redevelop the Collingwood College basketball courts.

How you can help:

1. Come to the Collingwood College Spring fair this Sunday especially between 12.15 and 1.15. Many candidates will be there as well ss our local member Richard Wynne. Come in All Stars gear to reinforce to the candidates the need for the new stadium.

2. Email or call these candidates and let them know you want them to support the council committing $3 million to the redevelopment of the Collingwood College basketball courts. Post messages on their Facebook page. If you are door knocked, ask them their position. Candidate information is available here.

Key messages

We believe there is an urgent case for the State Government and Yarra City Council to redevelop the basketball courts at Collingwood College because:

• Our area is changing. Thousands are moving into the area, but the investment in community facilities hasn’t kept up. Young players are being turned away from sporting facilities, and there is no room for adults to play
  
  
• Basketball is a fast growing sport and is great for girls and boys.  Sport teaches us teamwork, the importance of working together and keeps us healthy
  
  
• We have over 1200 members and just one full size home court at Collingwood College
  
  
• The club was established nearly 40 years ago for young people residing mainly in public housing, and maintains a strong community focus and a commitment to ensuring all young people can have an opportunity to play basketball. We employ a Community Liaison Officer and currently more than 10% of our players are from public housing and/or Culturally and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds, many from South Sudan.  A venue in an accessible location like Collingwood College would make a huge difference to the viability of keeping these players involved
  
  
• The City of Yarra does not have any high ball sporting facilities to support basketball, netball or futsal. Their own Indoor Stadium Feasibility Study in November 2015 found the urgent need for more courts. They had $3million in the budget for this type facility, but it has disappeared

Basketball Victoria is also campaigning to Vote One for Basketball and support candidates who are supporting community sport.

#Stadium4CWD