THE Sunraysia Football and Netball League’s grand finals will not be played at the Mildura Sporting Precinct this season.
The nine-member SFNL board decided on Tuesday night against moving its grand-final day out to the new $45 million facility at South Mildura.
The 5-4 vote against the MSP move will mean the league’s 2022 football and netball grand finals will be held at its usual home, Brian Weightman Oval (otherwise known as No.1 Oval).
The rejection of MSP as a grand final venue came after Mildura Council chiefs gave the board members a tour of the facility, outlining plans for how the council would have managed the day in catering for up to 7000 people.
This included putting in a temporary outdoor and indoor grandstands, as well as car parking to accommodate 1600 spaces.
SFNL president Paul Matheson praised the council for “making every effort to get us out there this year”.
“Hats off to the council. They’ve been on the front foot with this and couldn’t have been any better to work with,” he said.
“As you know, I’ve been very critical of the precinct in relation to the lack of consultation at the start of the project.
“But I’ve found that the discussions of late have been very positive, starting at the top with (council chief executive) Martin Hawson.
“What they presented to us was quite impressive.”
Matheson said he was hopeful before the meeting that the board would opt for a move to MSP for the grand final on Saturday, September 10.
“It’s why we had the council do a presentation so each board member could see what’s happening out there and judge for themselves,” he said.
“For me, the vote was a bit disappointing given how progressive we’ve been as a league in the past 18 months.
“It’s like taking one step forward and two steps back now.
“I just think the opportunity was there to do something totally different this year (and) have a festival day that showcases everything that’s great about our league in a family-friendly atmosphere.”
Matheson said the main resistance to the MSP move in 2022 was “driven by netball” representatives.
“I appreciate that netball is an outdoor sport, but I wonder where the feedback actually originated from because I know personally, from the players that I’ve spoken to, that they love playing indoors,” he said.
“There are a few things that council are trying to improve inside the stadium, but it could have been a good showcase of netball in front of a big crowd.”
SFNL vice-president Karen Martin, representing netball, has been contacted for comment.
Another board member, Bob Faulkhead, also praised the council for a “ripping presentation” on Tuesday night.
“They did everything they possibly could to get us out there this year,” the prominent local businessman said.
“I put the board’s decision down as a missed opportunity.
“The netballers put up a fairly tough fight. Their main argument was that netball’s an outdoor game and the outside netball courts at the precinct won’t be finished in time for grand final day.
“They claim the game’s too fast to be played inside.”
He said there was “basically a commitment from all the board” to move out to MSP for next year’s grand finals.
“But my point of view is, why not move out there this year, showcase the league’s best, and then learn from any mistakes that are made?” he said.
The council has also been contacted for comment.
