The Sovereigns want more Victorian Netball League home games and say lobbying for national games would reinforce their cause.

Sovereigns chairman Bill Mundy said a showcourt was vital to convince Netball Victoria this city was serious about the game and creating opportunity.

Mr Mundy’s appeal comes with decision time looming for federal grants under the Building Better Regions Fund. Wendouree Indoor Sports collective, of which Sovereigns is a member, has a bid for $10 million for a fully developed Ballarat Sports and Entertainment Centre but there is flexibility in funding to offer a partial amount.

The collective was confident a $6 million grant could be enough to complete a 3000-seat showcourt in the project, and the chance to attract major events.

Ballarat no longer has facilities to the standard of hosting national or international netball matches.

State league matches are played at the existing BSEC site, barely compliant to VNL standards, and limited to two matches per season.

Sovereigns’ long-term vision is for full home-and-away rights and potential to host a round of VNL.

Mr Mundy said BSEC also had the potential to be a hub for talented young netballers across western Victoria to develop their game, tapping into the region’s sports medical and science specialists.

“It will provide the natural home for young western Victoria athletes to take their netball aspirations to the next level, with state of the art facilities, coaching and health support available in one location, alleviating the need for athletes to travel to Melbourne,” Mr Mundy said.

Mr Mundy said the showcourt would offer a chance for Ballarat to compete against regional rivals like Bendigo, which hosted a netball Test between Australia and England in 2014. 

“The crowd felt really close to us today and the atmosphere was fantastic,” Australian goaler Caitlin Twaites then said. “In some of the bigger venues we play at the crowd feels so far away. It was great to have the crowd close to us and riding every bump with us.”