MEDIA RELEASE: Labor’s Investment in Newcastle Tennis

19 June 2016

Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon today announced a Shorten Labor Government will invest in the development of the Newcastle District Tennis Park in Broadmeadow.

The redevelopment will upgrade 10 courts at the Park, bringing them up to an approved competitive standard. The redevelopment will also ensure District Park has tennis courts accessible to wheelchair players.

“More than 2,500 tennis players use this facility every week and this project will modernise and enhance the playing surfaces to make it one of the premier regional tennis venues in New South Wales,” Ms Claydon said.

“Having a venue with competition-standard courts will boost Newcastle’s ability to attract more tennis events, which will have major economic benefits for local businesses in our city.”

The redevelopment will also benefit local athletes and the broader Newcastle tennis community, including wheelchair tennis players.

“As more and more Novocastrians with disability become engaged with recreational or competitive sporting activities it’s important we have accessible sporting venues,” Ms Claydon said.

“Modern courts and more exposure through high quality tournaments will encourage young people into tennis and provide greater opportunity for our champion players to develop locally rather than having to move to a capital city.” 

This investment of $600,000 is supported in partnership with Tennis NSW and the Newcastle District Tennis Association.

Quotes attributable to Alistair MacDonald, CEO Tennis NSW:

“The $600,000 pledge will fund Stage One of the re-development of District Park, the home of Newcastle District Tennis Association. The Stage One project will incorporate the reconstruction and redevelopment of ten of the existing courts, as well as establishing disability access which will enable the centre to develop wheelchair tennis participation and inclusion events.

“This significant investment will enhance the current venue, allowing District Park to play a greater role in developing tennis in Newcastle and the broader Central Coast community.”

“I would like to thank Sharon Claydon, Federal Labor Member for Newcastle, for her support of this project and I look forward to following the progress over the coming months.”