To Whom It May Concern,
I am writing to express my full support for the proposal to relocate and upgrade Newcastle’s basketball stadium. This is not simply a matter of replacing an old facility—it is a necessary step toward accommodating the growing needs of a vibrant, active, and increasingly engaged sporting community. The existing stadium at Broadmeadow, built more than 50 years ago, has served its purpose well, but it is now outdated, overcapacity, and unable to meet the region’s expanding demands.
Basketball in Newcastle is thriving. Participation has surged in recent years across all age groups and demographics, and this momentum should be encouraged, not limited. Unfortunately, the current venue cannot handle this growth. Registration periods for competitions and programs often close within days, with many players—particularly children and young people—turned away due to lack of space. This is not just a sports issue; it’s a community issue. Every child denied a spot on the court loses an opportunity to develop physically, socially, and emotionally in a supportive, team-focused environment.
The proposal to relocate the stadium to a new site with expanded capacity—up to 12 courts and a purpose-built show court—presents a forward-looking solution. A modern, multi-use indoor sports centre would not only serve basketball, but also other popular and emerging sports like volleyball, netball, futsal, pickleball, and more. It would give Newcastle the infrastructure to host regional and state competitions, drawing visitors to the area and stimulating the local economy through increased tourism, accommodation, and retail activity.
One of the most compelling aspects of this proposal is its ability to create opportunity. A larger, state-of-the-art venue would provide more space for grassroots competitions, school programs, all-abilities sports, elite training, and community events. It would bring together people from diverse backgrounds in a safe, inclusive, and inspiring setting. In a city as proud and passionate as Newcastle, a venue like this would quickly become more than just a sports facility—it would be a hub for community connection, youth development, and civic pride.
Let’s not miss this chance to do something truly significant for the region.
Sincerely,
Henry Barnett (I just want to play ball)

This is a much needed venue that will provide the community with a brilliant venue for multiple sports.This has been in the planning for many years without success finding land that is available and suitable.We cannot waste anymore time the community needs this sports centre urgently as the current stadium is no longer viable.Its too small,leaks every time it rains and the association is renting other courts every week so people can play.I fully support this proposal.Thankyou.

Newcastle is a thriving city and needs this infrastructure to continue to grow. It’s a joke and an embarrassment to host representatives from other basketball or sporting associations and have the roof leak during wet weather. Travelling across NSW for basketball, it’s clear to see other smaller cities and regions like Tamworth, Illawarra, and Shoalhaven have all invested in sporting facilities. It’s time for Newcastle to catch up. This investment is needed to encourage children and young people to stay physically active and build strong social bonds in a positive and safe environment.

The current stadium is old run down and requires replacing. The new HISC will allow the next generation to participate in an active lifestyle all year round, regardless of weather conditions.
The development of the HISC is a great community asset for Newcastle indoor sports, e.g., basketball, futsal, pickleball, volleyball, netball, table tennis, etc. It will also generate additional income to the city through being able to hold State, National and international events.
The increased court capacity enables more children to finally have somewhere to play indoor sport, having been turned away in the past due to a lack of court space available to cater for them.

Firstly the provision of a new venue not only for Basketball but many other indoor sports is long overdue. So to have a new venue for many and varied indoor sports is very sensible. With the new Broadmeadow precinct planning not allowing for a replacement venue it is left to put it in a sensible position within or as close to the new sports precinct. Lambton high will have access to the venue and public transport is close. The 6,000 or so kids wanting to play the different sports will have a great venue and it is needed. It needs to be built quickly as well because the old stadium is on its last legs with less than 3 years before eviction from the asbestos ridden building. A good use for a sometimes-unplayable area subject to flooding. It must happen.

Newcastle has a strong basketball community desperately in need of better facilities.

I am writing to express my strong support for the development of the Hunter Indoor Sports Complex. As a mum of players and a supporter of basketball, I believe this facility will be an invaluable addition to our region and will deliver lasting benefits for athletes, families, and the wider community. Including many other sports.

Basketball continues to grow in popularity in the Hunter, with increasing demand for indoor courts and training spaces. Unfortunately, many clubs and players currently face challenges accessing quality facilities due to limited availability. The Hunter Indoor Sports Complex would directly address this need by providing modern, purpose-built courts that can accommodate local competitions, training programs, and representative pathways.

I strongly support the proposal for the Hunter Indoor Sports Centre, a vital investment in Newcastle’s sporting infrastructure and community wellbeing. As a former basketball player and now a parent to two daughters who love the game, I’ve seen firsthand how sport can shape confidence, resilience, and connection. My daughters are eager to continue playing for many years to come, but the current facilities simply cannot meet the growing demand.

Basketball is booming across Australia. According to the latest AusPlay data, it ranks as the second-highest team participation sport nationally, with approximately 1.3 million players. Participation among girls and women has increased by 25% since 2022, making this proposal especially timely in light of the NSW Government’s Her Sport Her Way initiative to boost female involvement in sport. Basketball is also one of the top five organised sports among children aged 5–14, with over 350,000 junior participants.

Locally, outdated facilities and limited court availability mean players and teams are being turned away. The proposed centre would meet international standards for basketball, netball, and volleyball, and support a wide range of sports including futsal, pickleball, and badminton. Unlike outdoor fields, which are frequently closed due to weather or maintenance, an indoor facility offers consistent, year-round access—day and night.

The centre would serve a diverse cross-section of the community: wheelchair athletes, school groups, seniors who play pickleball during the day, and students with disabilities who participate in Inclusive Sports Days organised by the Department of Education’s School Sports Unit. This inclusive, multi-purpose venue would be a cornerstone for community engagement and wellbeing.

Beyond its social impact, the centre would deliver significant economic benefits. By attracting teams, players, and spectators from across the region and beyond, it would stimulate local business—hospitality, retail, and accommodation—while positioning Newcastle as a destination for major sporting events. This kind of infrastructure investment has a proven multiplier effect, generating jobs and long-term growth.

Finally, the long-term health benefits of valuing sports participation cannot be overstated. Regular involvement in sport improves physical health, mental wellbeing, and social connection. It reduces the burden on our health system and fosters lifelong habits of movement and community.

With its central location and accessibility via public transport, the Hunter Indoor Sports Centre is not just a facility—it’s a future-proof investment in the health, vibrancy, and prosperity of our region. I urge decision-makers to approve this proposal and support the aspirations of thousands of local athletes, families, and community members.

I moved to Newcastle in 1997 as a 25-year-old, and for nearly three decades the Newcastle Basketball Stadium has been part of my life.
I still play there twice a week, and my son, who started playing at the stadium at the age of 10 and is now 17, has grown up with it as his home for sports.
The sad reality is that the stadium today looks and feels almost the same as it did when I first walked through its doors in the late 1990s.
Beyond a few coats of paint, nothing has changed, and it was already outdated back then.
As a sports photographer and graphic designer, I’ve covered countless basketball tournaments, school sports carnivals, dance contests, and conventions at the venue.
Every weekday afternoon, schools fill the courts until 3:30pm, when junior basketball takes over.
From then until 10:30pm, every night of the week, the stadium is packed with kids, parents, and senior players.
On weekends, it transforms again, hosting basketball, volleyball, pickleball, concerts, and conventions.
It is truly the beating heart of Newcastle's indoor sport and community life.
But the demand far exceeds the capacity.
Thousands of children and senior players are turned away because the stadium isn’t big enough or modern enough to cope.
This is happening at a time when basketball in Australia has never been stronger.
It was a big trend in the 1980s and 1990s.
I know, I lived through that era, but today the sport is booming like never before.
Clear and exciting pathways now exist for young Australians to progress to the NBL, WNBL, and even the NBA; yet, in Newcastle, our facilities are holding the next generation back.
Newcastle is the seventh-largest city in Australia, yet it lags embarrassingly behind when it comes to sporting infrastructure.
Our outdated stadium means we consistently miss out on hosting major events that could bring huge economic and cultural benefits to the region.
The proposed new stadium would not only transform local participation but put the Hunter on both the national and international stage, allowing us to attract world-class events we currently lose to other cities.
The need is urgent.
More than urgent, it's a MUST!
In 2019, funding was announced to deliver a new stadium.
My son was 10 then.
He’s 17 now, and we are no closer to having a facility worthy of this city.
At this rate, he’ll be 30 before anything is built, and my own playing days will long be over.
This project is not just desirable, it is essential.
Newcastle deserves better.
A new stadium is well beyond overdue, and its benefits for our community, our young people, and our city’s reputation will be enormous.

The hunter needs a new basketball facility