Northern Tasmanian Netball Association

If you grew up in northern Tasmania playing netball, you will undoubtedly have memories of chilly Saturday mornings at Hobler’s Bridge.

While still a popular school sport, club netball continues to grow from strength to strength with the Northern Tasmanian Netball Association (NTNA) now reaching more than 1500 members across 13 clubs. With junior, senior and casual rosters plus carnivals and two northernbased state-wide teams, playing and training currently takes place across a variety of venues in the region including Hobler’s Bridge, the Silverdome, YMCA, UTAS and various schools.

The lack of suitable indoor court and quality outdoor court space is a source of frustration to the associations team according to NTNA Director Jacinta Simeoni.

“Netball has been an indoor sport for nearly 30 years, yet we do not have consistent access to an indoor netball venue that meets our requirements,” Mrs Simeoni said.

“We are at capacity and cannot grow. We already do not meet the needs of the numbers we have.”

Federal Member for Bass Bridger Archer has been working with the NTNA over the past few years to identify possible locations for a new indoor facility.

“Lack of appropriate court or ground facilities is a problem faced by a number of sporting codes across our region,” Mrs Archer said.

“I am continuing to work with the NTNA in the hopes that a long-term solution can be found to benefit the league and its players for decades to come.”

In 2021 the NTNA received a grant of just under $20,000 to resurface one court at Hobler’s Bridge through the then Federal Government’s Stronger Communities Program.

The Tasmanian Government has also provided $5 Million through a 2021 election commitment and signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the NTNA to develop a dedicated netball hub, including modern indoor playing facilities and administration rooms to support the growth of netball as a participation sport in Northern Tasmania, where netball is the major tenant.

“Discussions are ongoing and we have a long way to go but I’d like to thank Bridget for working so constructively with us to hopefully achieve an outcome that will secure the long-term future of netball in the north,” Mrs Simeoni said.