Three major sporting upgrades officially complete

Published on 15 October 2026

Mayor Cr Ben Green and Member for Ripon Martha Haylett will officially cut the ribbon to celebrate the upgrades of three local sporting facilities this weekend.

Everyone is welcome to attend the official openings on Saturday 17 October – 9am at Maryborough Tennis Centre, 10am at Princes Park Oval and 11am at JH Hedges Memorial Oval.

At the Maryborough Tennis Centre, five new synthetic grass courts were completed in March, followed by the installation of new lighting in April.

The $523,000 project was jointly funded through $400,000 from the Victorian Government, $80,000 from Central Goldfields Shire Council, a $20,000 contribution from the Maryborough Tennis Centre and a $31,300 National Court Rebate from Tennis Australia.

At Princes Park Oval, four brand-new turf cricket pitches have been delivered, providing a significant boost for the local cricket community, including the Maryborough Cricket Club.

The $190,000 project was jointly funded with $100,000 from the Victorian Government, $50,000 from Central Goldfields Shire Council and $40,000 from Cricket Australia.

Local netballers will also benefit from improved facilities, with a new netball court completed at JH Hedges Memorial Oval in Maryborough. The project also delivered new lighting, courtside shelters, retaining wall works and fenceline improvements.

The $450,000 upgrade was fully funded by the Victorian Government and will provide enhanced facilities for local netball, including the Maryborough Giants Football Netball Club and other clubs competing in the Maryborough Castlemaine District Football Netball League.

Quote attributable to Member for Ripon Martha Haylett

“Sport is the heartbeat of communities like Maryborough, and these upgrades mean local tennis players, cricketers and netballers now have the facilities they deserve. Labor is committed to investing in regional Victoria, and these three projects show what that looks like on the ground."

Quote attributable to Mayor Councillor Ben Green

"The Maryborough Tennis Association, Maryborough Cricket Club and Maryborough Giants Football Netball Club have been advocating for these projects for many years. We thank them for their tireless efforts and are thrilled to see these projects now completed.

"We also extend our thanks to the Victorian Government for supporting all three projects, along with our other funding partners, Cricket Australia, Tennis Australia and the Maryborough Tennis Centre.

"These upgrades will provide high-quality facilities for local athletes and sporting clubs and will be enjoyed by generations to come."