Sport
7 November, 2024
Volleyball boom stunted by lack of indoor sporting facilities in Horsham
David Berry advocates to make indoor sports facilities a priority for HRCC.
Volleyball is a fast growing sport according to Horsham Volleyball president, David Berry, but inadequate facilities for indoor sports in Horsham is stunting that growth in the Wimmera.
On Saturday, November 16 and Sunday, November 17, Horsham Volleyball will host its annual Volleyball tournament, but in search of facilities, the organisation has had to look far and wide.
Facilities across town will be used for tournament games including Horsham Basketball Stadium and stadiums or gymnasiums at St Brigid's College, Horsham College, 298 Primary School and Holy Trinity Lutheran College.
Beyond that, the association is having to look to Murtoa, Warracknabeal and Ararat.
"For indoor sport ... I know that there is a requirement for more court space," Mr Berry said.
"I just had two teams wanting to enter into premier one men, that's the top division of men in the state, so we're not talking about guys that just hit and giggle, we're talking about guys that can play, that are worth watching.
"I've reluctantly let them in, but I have to redo the draw and they might be playing games at nine o'clock at night just to fit them in."
Mr Berry said the sport of volleyball is currently experiencing a boom.
"There's more unstructured, social volleyball competitions now in Melbourne, springing up all over the place," he said.
Access to new, large, multi-purpose indoor sporting facilities, with the infrastructure for multiple sports, is a great contributor to this boom.
"The sport is booming, there's more players that want to play, there's more players that want to participate in these tournaments," Mr Berry said.
"We only run out [of space] once a year, But the fact of the matter is that we're missing out on opportunities."
Australian Volleyball League teams the Melbourne Vipers and the Adelaide Storm wanted to bring a pre season game to Horsham.
"But they can't, we can't host them because our facility is not good enough," Mr Berry said.
Also, a recent country championship tournament held in Mildura brought a $1.2 million economic boost to the business community, something Horsham will miss out on without the facilities to host that kind of tournament.
Volleyball Horsham's domestic competitions are also feeling the squeeze of its limited court space.
"We're playing three nights a week now to fit all the games in," Mr Berry said.
"We've got a good problem to have with increase in participation right across the board, but unfortunately, our infrastructure is not keeping pace with that demand for sport."
In hopes to make progress towards creating the facilities indoor sports needs in Horsham, Mr Berry is inviting Horsham Rural City Council's soon-to-be councilors to the Horsham tournament, to see Horsham Volleyball in action.
"Come down and have a look at what we're doing, have a look at the standard," Mr Berry said.
"Former Australian players are going to be playing in this tournament. So it's not just a hit and giggle. These guys and girls know how to play.
"They are athletes that you'd want to watch."
In June 2023, HRCC endorsed a Wimmera regional multi-sport feasibility study which prioritised the development of an indoor sporting stadium and precinct at College Oval on Dimboola Road
HRCC director of communities and place Kevin O'Brien said the study identifies the development priorities that Council will need to consider over the next 10-20 years.
It also suggests facilities at Haven Recreation Reserve and Dudley W Cornell Park.
"Council has advanced the development of schematic plans for Haven Recreation Reserve and Dudley W Cornell Park," said Mr O'Brien.
"Council has submitted a funding application to the Federal Government Regional Precincts and Partnerships Program to develop detailed designs for the development of an indoor sporting stadium and precinct at College Oval."
The College Oval site is set to include a regional indoor stadium with four high ball courts, outdoor netball courts, and a municipal hockey pitch.
Mr Berry said, if given the chance, he would advocate for the new indoor sports stadium to be prioritised.
"I would cite these examples to them of what we're missing out on and the opportunities that are being denied for the advancement of our participants," he said.
"Because the more we bring in these teams, especially at tournament time to play against our kids, the better they get, the more exposure they get."