About Us
The Illawarra Sports Stadium is a not-for-profit organisation established in 1992. We oversee operations of Berkeley's own multi-purpose indoor sport and recreation Stadium.
We are proud to give back to the community through our community sport programs. We believe in community engagement, diversity in sports, affordable and equal access to community facilities, forming lasting social bonds and promoting a healthy lifestyle via regular participation in physical activity.
The Illawarra Sports Stadium is governed by a highly experienced and diverse Board of Directors.
History
In 1989 Val Curran President of the Illawarra District Netball Association and Ian Richardson Director Illawarra Basketball Association recognised that the Illawarra region lacked the necessary indoor sport and recreation facilities for the future needs of not only both basketball and netball but many other indoor sports. Concept plans were prepared for a four court multipurpose sports centre. A project team was formed to take the project from concept to reality.
The project team included representatives from netball, basketball, Wollongong City Council and interested community individuals. Plans and costings were prepared to meet Council and planning regulations. In early 1991 construction commenced with the complex completed in 1992. Many businesses and organisations of the Illawarra contributed to the development of the facility with in-kind support, materials and equipment, donations and voluntary labour. The project was managed by Cleary Bros of Port Kembla.
The Illawarra Sports Stadium has been fully operational since 1992 and has provided a high standard complex for sporting and recreational activities for many organisations, as well as providing a home for netball and basketball and other indoor sporting activities and community groups.
Our Partners & the Community
The Illawarra Sports Stadium is a proud supporter of Lifeline South Coast’s Book Fair. With around 40,000 fiction and non-fiction books, this event is the major fundraising event for Lifeline’s support services, including their 24 hour telephone crisis helpline for the Sydney south coast.
Our venue is home to the Illawarra District Netball Association (IDNA) which has a membership of some 3500+. Basketball has been a major user of the centre for the past twenty years, with 90 teams competing on a weekly basis. The Illawarra Basketball Association (IBA) and Wollongong Universal Basketball League (UBL) operations are based at the Stadium.