SINGAPORE – National netballers will enjoy uninterrupted preparation for major competitions such as the upcoming Mirxes Nations Cup, after Netball Singapore’s lease of its Kallang home was extended by two years.
Netball Singapore president Trina Liang said on Aug 3 that the lease extension by national agency Sport Singapore would allow them to stay at the Kallang Netball Centre till 2026. They were previously set to move to the Bedok Sports Hall while waiting for a new training centre to be built in Toa Payoh.
She told The Sunday Times: “I think it’s good that we stay where we are, we don’t spend the money to move to another facility and then move again. I think that would have really disrupted training, which is quite critical with the Nations Cup coming up, as well as the SEA Games in 2025 and 2027.”
She was speaking at the Deloitte Pesta Sukan Carnival at Kallang Netball Centre, where she also announced the appointment of Ms Jane Ittogi, President Tharman Shamugaratnam’s spouse, as Netball Singapore’s new patron.
Liang said: “Ms Jane Ittogi’s dedication to social causes and commitment to fostering growth and excellence align perfectly with Netball Singapore’s mission. Ms Ittogi’s support will undoubtedly bring enhanced visibility and advocacy for netball in Singapore.”
At the event, Netball Singapore also unveiled a new logo and name for the national netball team – the Singapore Vandas – which was commemorated with the unveiling of a mural.
The new identity pays homage to the national flower, the Vanda Miss Joaquim orchid, which is known for its resilience and year-round blooming quality.
Ms Ittogi also presented team jerseys featuring the new logo to the national team, who will be defending their title at the Sept 1-7 Nations Cup and doing battle at the Asian Netball Championship in Bengaluru, India from Oct 18 to 27.
Team co-captains Khor Ting Fang and Toh Kai Wei, both 27, said they are happy to stay at Kallang as it has been their second home.
Khor said: “We grew up playing here, all the way from primary school, through the age groups, into our clubs, and so on. It’s a community area where everybody who loves netball in Singapore knows and loves.”
Toh added: “It’s good that we can stay here instead of moving to a temporary spot where we have to try to ease in and get used to it, and then change again.”
Their new permanent home will be located in a regional sports centre as part of the Toa Payoh Integrated Development project. It is scheduled to be completed by 2030.
This new netball centre will feature indoor courts, which allows players to have undisrupted training, rain or shine. The Kallang Netball Centre has only outdoor courts.
Toh said she will miss Kallang when they eventually have to move, but she is excited by what is in the pipeline, adding: “We also look forward to somewhere new with new facilities and sheltered courts. It will also be better for anybody out there in the community.”
Liang said: “What is interesting about the new premises as well is that it’s not just standalone, it’s integrated with the community with connected walkways to shops.
“What we hope for with the new home of netball is to actually bring the elite and the community together more often.”
https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/netball-singapore-gets-lease-extension-to-stay-at-kallang
