Cowaramup petition seeks upgrade for ‘underutilised’ town-centre basketball courts

Parents in Cowaramup are pitching for a multi-sport upgrade to the town’s basketball court.

While the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River recently undertook consultation around its new draft leisure plan that included the region’s sporting grounds, details of that feedback are due to go before councillors later this year.

Cowaramup parent Andre Bracetti said he and other parents are making their own push to demonstrate interest in the community at more sports options for children.

Mr Bracetti submitted a recent petition for council support last week and he hoped to see a follow-up as part of the local government’s planning for Cowaramup.

“Cowaramup is growing and the facilities we have are decent, but can definitely be further improved to increase utilisation rates and to keep up with demand from increased population,” Mr Bracetti said.

“The oval would also be a good place to rethink ways to get better utilisation.”

In the first instance, parents are keen to see the basketball court fenced and resurfaced to allow soccer-style game futsal.

“As a passionate parent and soccer fan, I have observed a growing interest for soccer among the children of Cowaramup,” Mr Bracetti said.

“The basketball court in the Cowaramup Hall area can only be used for a single sport and we are proposing this court to be turned into a multi-sport court.

“Specifically, the community would like to enable the practice of soccer in the court.”

The proposal had LJ Soccer operator Luke Johnston on board for the “brilliant idea”.

“Growing up in the UK where multi-sport facilities were prevalent, I witnessed firsthand how exposure to various sports, including soccer, significantly contributed to the development of young talents,” he said.

“Transforming the under-utilised basketball court into a multi-sport hub, inclusive of soccer, would provide an ideal space for aspiring footballers.”

Mr Johnston said the project could also benefit the wider community and help keep the region’s adults more active too.

“As the Shire plans its budget, this initiative aligns with global trends and personal experiences, making a compelling case for investment in a multi-sport facility that can shape the sporting landscape in our region,” he said.

Shire sustainable development and infrastructure director Nick Logan said a report on the draft leisure plan was due by April.

That plan would “inform the development and management of recreation and leisure facilities and services over the next 10 years,” Mr Logan said.

Although the multi-sport proposal was not included in the draft plan, public feedback would be considered before the plan was finalised, he said.