The newly-elected Orange Netball Association committee is dealing with having to roster its 170 teams on the existing 12 courts at Anzac Park for the winter competition and work in with other sports to get enough courts for its mid-week competition.

New president Jane Dennis said Orange City Council had lodged an application for government funding for the extra courts to go on the eastern side of the current courts.

She said the number of registered players had risen from about 1500 to just under 2000 in the past five years.

“There is a lot of growing interest in our junior competition, from under 8s. We’ve started four new teams in the eights,” she said.

“We’ve got a funding submission to Orange City Council at the moment to add another four courts,” she said.

“I think the cost is about $150,000 for the new courts.”

Dennis said four outside courts also needed resurfacing which would require further funding.

“We need another PCYC. There is such a competition for the courts all year,” she said.

That included likely having to knock back applications from some teams to play in the mid-week competition due to the court shortage.

“Mid-week, that has been getting stronger and stronger,” she said.

The ONA is also looking to meet demands from teams from Sydney and Canberra to play in netball carnivals.

They have already received applications from clubs for a carnival later this year after some played in a carnival in 2018.

“They had a great time. They loved our town and they loved our netball,” she said.

“It’s great for the town.”

The ONA is also keen on having a show court at PCYC to present major games.

Dennis said the ONA did not think they could return to using Moulder Park’s old courts for competition.

She said the courts were “terrible” and the cost involved in bringing them up to playing standard would be the same as providing new courts at Anzac Park.

Dennis said the new committee was “strong and experienced” however they were still seeking someone to fill the role of treasurer.

“The existing comps are very strong,” she said.

“We have five players in various under 17 NSW selections.”

The vice-president for 2019 is Michele Turner, secretary is Amanda Mooney, the registrar is Naomi Escreet, the assistant treasurer is Karen Stubbings and the umpire convenors are Taleise Pickavance, Tania Millar and Alisa Nicol.