New Futsal court opened at Umina
The first dedicated Futsal court was officially opened at the Umina Tennis and Futsal Club on Wednesday, August 17.
The Umina Community Group and the Umina Tennis and Futsal Club joined to celebrate
the opening of the court.
This followed completion of renovations at the tennis club which saw its roof replaced and the conversion of one court with Astro-Turf to Futsal specifications.
Umina Tennis and Futsal Club president Mr Neil Packer said: "The old roof had been leaking for many years and temporary fixes were just not enough.
"It had become a large issue for our club, players and visitors, with many post-match gatherings and club administration ruined by the water.'
The tennis club has over 200 members, with Futsal or five-a-side soccer having grown to 500 players in just five years.
Mr Packer said the club would now look to building a second dedicated Futsal court.
"We have now moved into looking for grants or sponsors to fund the construction of the court.
"Once in place we will then have a professional regional Futsal facility to allow us to open up cross region competitions," he said.
Umina Community Group director Mr Tony Winch said: "The Tennis Club upgrades are the first deliverables from a $8.25 million grant from the Federal Government, to which Central Coast Council added an extra $600,000 to cover auxiliary works and Bendigo Bank Ettalong Beach added $50,000 to help with design costs.
"With the tennis and Futsal stage now delivered, we are looking forward to the next stage which will see the amenities buildings for football, cricket and NRL knocked down and replaced with modern facilities over this coming summer, and the new skateboard park scheduled to start construction next winter."
Pictured at the opening are Umina Tennis and Futsal Club owner and head coach Ms Kristy Packer, Umina Community Group director Mr Tony Winch, head of soccer programs Mr Peter Edwards and manager-coach Mr John Gorman.
Pictured on the new court is Ruby Gorman, one of the club's top under-12 female players.
SOURCE:
Media release, 11 Aug 2022
Tony Winch, Umina Community Group