The world’s most exciting netball could be making its debut in Parkes next year. Parkes and District Netball Association is looking to bring Fast5, a modified version of netball, to Parkes following the completion of the eight netball courts to worldclass standards in October.

This new and exciting version of netball arrived in the country big time when Australia won the rights to host the Fast5 Netball World Series until next year. Fast5 includes five players-a-side, shortened quarters, multiple point shots and double point power plays.

According to Vice-President of the Parkes and District Netball Association, Wally Norman the recent upgrade of eight netball courts at McGlynn Park, included markings for the Fast5 game. “We are very excited about the Fast5 markings and keen to introducethis game in Parkes next year as an adult competition.”

Wally said they were very happy with the  upgrade of the courts at a cost of $110,000. The courts are making a statement with its brand new colours in red and blue with white line markings. The colours were chosen to tie in with the colours of the Parkes Spacemen.

Specialist surfacing company Court Craft from Sydney who did the work, said it was the first time these colours had been used for netball courts. They repaired existing cracks and applied three coats of a non-slip, colour treatment
over the existing asphalt to produce a shock absorbent, all-weather playing surface. The new courts complement and enhance the existing facilities within the McGlynn sporting precinct, which includes the state-of-the-art Mariah Williams Hockey Field.

The world-class facility had been noticed with congratulations from Netball NSW on ‘the fresh new courts that look terrific’. Wally said Parkes would once again host the annual Netball Carnival next year with up to 55 teams competing, while all the regular competition would also return.

By Maggi Barnard

Parkes Shire Council have partnered with the Parkes and District Netball Association to deliver world class netball courts for McGlynn Park. Eight sealed netball courts will be resurfaced and remarked to bring them up to the recommended netball standards.

Parkes Shire Council Director Works and Services, Ben Howard, said: “With Parkes beginning to emerge as a premier sporting hub, these upgrades are necessary to deliver optimal playing surfaces and improved safety outcomes for the current user groups, and enable larger netball competitions to be hosted in town.”

Specialist surfacing company, Court Craft will repair the existing cracks and apply three coats of a non-slip, colour treatment over the existing asphalt to produce a shock absorbent, all-weather playing surface. Council contributed $64,490 towards the project under the Parkes Town Improvement Vote, with $4,100 delivered under the Northparkes Sports Grants Program, and the remaining $30,900 funded by Parkes and District Netball Association.
Parkes and District Netball Association has 300 registered players. The courts are used for the Senior Women’s and Mixed Tuesday Night Competition, Saturday Morning Junior Competition, as well as regular weekly training by both local competition and representative players.

The last round of games for the Super 8s and NetSetGo divisions were played recently. The Committee would like to thank Kel Logan, Kerrie Evans, Melissa Evans, Tanya Macgregor, Angus Wyllie, Carmel Laing and Ben Smith for their contributions to their teams and the support of netball in Parkes over the past season. The improvement in skills has been fantastic.
Results Round 12
Division 1
Saphires def Diamonds 27-16 (Most Consistent: Amanda Lowe, Isabel Aveyard) Emeralds def 12 Reps (forfeit) (Most Consistent: Tianna Simpson, Kendra Dunn)
Division 2
Glitters def 11 Development (forfeit) Super 8s
Magics def Twinkles 17-16 (Most Consistent: Emmeline Wylie, Sophie Laing)
Rockettes def Hot Shots 5-2

By Lisa Nutley