Key Points
- Kingston Council is investigating options to deliver new indoor sporting facilities to allow residents to play closer to home.
- Approximately 6,500 registered basketball players live in Kingston, with roughly 80 per cent currently travelling outside the municipality to compete.
- Potential locations and partnerships being explored include Hawthorn Football Club’s Kennedy Community Centre in Dingley Village and St Kilda Football Club’s RSEA Park precinct.
- The initiative aligns with Council’s Sport and Recreation Strategy and action 8 of its action plan.
- Beyond basketball, new indoor courts would accommodate netball, volleyball, badminton, pickleball, school programmes, inclusive activities, and community events.
Kingston (South London News) November 13, 2026 – Kingston Council is actively investigating all available avenues to deliver much-needed indoor sporting infrastructure, aiming to provide local athletes with the opportunity to play closer to home.
- Key Points
- What locations and partnerships are currently under consideration?
- How many local players are currently affected by the facility shortage?
- Which sports and community activities will benefit from the proposed courts?
- How is the Council approaching government and partner collaboration?
- Background of the Development
- Future Outlook and Impact on the Community
What locations and partnerships are currently under consideration?
To address the shortage of local courts, the Council is examining potential sites and collaborative partnerships for a new community indoor stadium. Among the primary options under investigation are opportunities located at Hawthorn Football Club’s Kennedy Community Centre in Dingley Village, as well as potential developments within St Kilda Football Club’s RSEA Park precinct.
How many local players are currently affected by the facility shortage?
Kingston Mayor Councillor Tony Athanasopoulos highlighted a distinct shortage of indoor sporting venues across both Kingston and Melbourne’s broader south-eastern region.
Mayor Tony Athanasopoulos stated that
“Around 6,500 registered basketball players live in Kingston, with approximately 80 per cent currently travelling outside our city to play.”
Which sports and community activities will benefit from the proposed courts?
While high participation rates in basketball serve as a primary catalyst for the initiative, the Council intends for any newly developed facilities to serve a wide variety of athletic and community needs.
Mayor Tony Athanasopoulos stated that
“We want to change that and create more opportunities for people to play sport closer to home. While basketball is a key driver of demand, additional indoor courts could also support netball, volleyball, badminton and pickleball, as well as school programs, inclusive activities and community events.”
How is the Council approaching government and partner collaboration?
Delivering major sporting infrastructure requires significant planning and external support. Councillor Athanasopoulos noted that the Council remains dedicated to assessing every viable option and collaborating with potential partners alongside all levels of government to secure the most beneficial outcome for the local community.
Background of the Development
The exploration of new indoor sporting venues directly supports the strategic framework outlined in Kingston Council’s Sport and Recreation Strategy. Specifically, this initiative fulfils action 8 of the strategy’s action plan, which focuses on strengthening local sporting opportunities and ensuring that community members have reliable access to high-quality facilities to remain physically active and socially connected.
Future Outlook and Impact on the Community
If Kingston Council successfully secures partnerships and government backing to construct a new community indoor stadium, the development will directly affect thousands of local residents, families, and grassroots sporting clubs across the municipality. Providing local court access would reduce travel times and commuting burdens for the estimated 80 per cent of Kingston’s 6,500 registered basketball players who currently leave the area to play. Furthermore, expanding court capacity would create new participation pathways for local netball, volleyball, badminton, and pickleball associations, while giving local schools and community groups dedicated indoor spaces for inclusive programmes and events.
