The courts were deemed unplayable upon the first morning inspection ahead of the under-13 Wimmera league game between Ararat and Stawell.

Ararat netball director Brendan Scott said the two teams were unable to come to an agreement on the state of the courts

“Stawell had some concerns about the surface about the court,” Scott said.

“We felt it was safe to play on but Stawell did not.”

Ararat Eagles netballers have played their last two home games, in the Mininera and District league, on the same courts that were to be used on Saturday. 

Stawell president Debbie Bach said the concern was primarily focused on the paint used to mark the lines.

“It’s particularly an issue early in the day when the courts are still damp,” she said. “We have also heard from other clubs that there have been concerns with the court and we had been talking to Ararat during the week about those concerns.”

Bach said she was told the courts had been worked on during the week.

“When we got to the courts on Saturday morning, we thought they were unplayable,” she said.

Scott said the club had been happily working with Ararat council to maintain and improve the courts.

“The council did some maintenance to the court recently,” he said. “It was disappointing from a club perspective that the games had to be moved.”

Bach said it would have been better to have all football and netball teams playing in one place.

“I particularly feel for the Ararat club,” she said.

“It’s hard enough for any country club but that would have cut into their gate quite a bit for the way. We have told Ararat we are willing to support them and lend a hand in any way possible to improve the courts.”