Slippery courts delay Mandurah netball games

It is understood he courts were left in a slippery state after the City of Mandurah hired a contractor to perform maintenance on them.

A soap used in the maintenance to strengthen the finish on the courts ultimately left them in a dangerous state for players, with moisture on the court causing two players to slip in recent games.

MNA president Jo Fitzpatrick said the association was taking a cautious approach and putting players’ health first by calling games off.

“We certainly don’t want anyone getting injured so any sign of rain or if the courts get wet before games, we will call them off,” she said.

The MNA was told the surface of the courts would correct itself after “four or five rainy periods”.

“Even with the weekend’s heavy rain the soap is yet to clear up and we will continue to monitor games throughout the process,” Fitzpatrick said.

“Obviously there are some angry parents out there, but the City of Mandurah has been really cooperative throughout the entire process – we understand they were just performing routine maintenance.”

City of Mandurah chief Mark Newman said the City had been made aware that the recently re-surfaced netball courts at Thompson Street have developed a slippery surface following recent rain.

“This is being investigated and in the meantime the City will monitor this issue in conjunction with Mandurah Netball Association,” he said.

The association received a grant from the Department of Sport and Recreation to purchase squeegees, resulting in a number of parents volunteering their time to help prepare the courts.

If a match is called off before it begins the game will be recorded as a nil-all draw. If games are called off before half time, the result will also stand as a draw. 

Games called off after reaching the half time interval will have the current score stand as a result.

At this stage games are expected to go ahead on the weekend.