Galvan said the PwC review had been completed and the board was encouraged by its findings. “This has given us the confidence to forge ahead, eyes wide open, understanding the risks and the levers we have available to us.”
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Netball has been played at Christchurch’s Hagley Park for 100 years. The report considered a “worst-case scenario” in terms of how often the facility would be used, she said. Once the centre was built, netball would initially be played across two sites: Netsal and Hagley Park. The Netsal Sports Centre would become a home for netball and futsal (a variation of indoor football) and netball would eventually end its 100-year association with Hagley Park. It was a joint project between Christchurch Netball Centre and Mainland Football.
Falloon said the move was seen as a way of putting the wellbeing of mātātahi (young people) first. “In lockdown, New Zealanders reflected on the value of balance and importance of taking time out for people of all ages. “It’s easy to talk about the importance, but taking steps to promote balance and give kids a break from activity is another matter. We admire the Canterbury sports for stepping up and announcing what we believe is a first in the country.” Falloon said the organisation hoped the agreement would lead other sports around New Zealand to consider similar moves, meaning a healthier, more balanced calendar for young people.
In a newsletter emailed to players, CNC board chairwoman Anna Galvan said she did not know when the review would be completed, but reiterated the board was committed to the “exciting project”. The board’s unanimous decision to conduct a review was made so it could take into account the Covid-19 impact and “possible scenarios going forward”, Galvan said. The Netsal Sports Centre was designed to become a home for netball and futsal (a variation of indoor football) and would see netball end its 100-year association with Hagley Park. Christchurch City Council decided in June to buy the netball centre building, car park and courts and turn it into a multicultural centre – if a price could be agreed upon.