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With the venue having suffered power failures and a leaking roof in recent years, the South Australian Government has announced that Adelaide’s ageing Netball SA Stadium is to get a major multimillion dollar overhaul.

South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas announced the plans today as the Adelaide Thunderbirds began their Super Netball season against the Queensland Firebirds at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre.

Announcing new investment of $80 million for the development of a new multi-sport facility at Mile End on top of an existing $12 million fund already destined for the facility ($6 million of which is being contributed by the Federal Government), Premier Malinauskas advised “this is an investment in the future, which will provide new impetus for healthy, community-based participation.

“Situated in the middle of a greatly improved Mile End sporting precinct, the new stadium will also help facilitate more national and international events.”

Aiming to offer a more refined experience to the approximately half a million individuals who visit the venue annually, the renovation scheme will include additional courts, improved seating and replacing the current main stadium with a 3,000-seat show court. Other elements of the project include enhanced lighting, superior shelters and new playing surfaces.

With 35,000 female netball players in South Australia, Premier Malinauskas noted that the venue will focus on promoting not only physical fitness, but also community-based participation.

He added “more girls in SA play netball than any other ball sport. It is a powerhouse of participation (and) the biggest sport for women and girls in South Australia.”

South Australian Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing, Katrine Hildyard added “this significant investment, together with the magnificent Thunderbirds, will encourage even more people of every age to get involved and will see the sport continue to grow and thrive.

“Sport provides invaluable community connection. It keeps our children and so many people active and healthy and offers a sense of belonging that cannot be matched.

“This incredible development will enable more people to be included and active in netball and other sports and to experience the mental, physical and emotional health and wellbeing benefits of being so.

“I really look forward to this incredible infrastructure supporting future generations of athletes, from those attending their very first netball clinic, to seasoned athletes competing in country champs to those aspiring to compete at the highest level.”

With Netball SA having lobbied for the backing for several years, the renovation will transform the stadium into a multi-sport facility, housing not only netball but also other indoor sports such as volleyball.

Commencing later this year, the improvements will be made in two phases with the indoor facility set to be finished by the end of 2027.

Image: Concept for new outdoor netball courts in the Netball SA Stadium precinct. Credit: South Australian Government.

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