History

Metropolitan Districts Netball Association (MDNA) was founded in 1974. We take this opportunity to recognise all our founding members who had a vision to form a netball association from a dairy farm and to all our members (past and present) who have continued with that passion to make Metro a strong, successful and well respected netball association in the sporting community.

From humble beginnings many have worked hard to ensure the facilities are first class for all our members, neighbours and international guests. Our volunteers have developed lifelong friendships and a strong sense of camaraderie that will endure well into the future.

We believe in supporting each other and providing the very best opportunities for our players, coaches, umpires and officials, many of whom have gone on to higher achievements in our sport.

THE BEGINNING

The then President of Queensland Netball, Miss Deirdre Hyland, formed Metropolitan District in 1974. On 1st January 1974, the new Queensland Netball Association Constitution was adopted which allowed the formation of a District Association.

There were three main reasons for this change:-

1. Queensland council felt it should be freed from the organisation of weekly fixtures at Downey Park to allow it to more effectively promote and improve netball on a statewide basis.

2. The number of players at Downey Park had almost reached saturation point.

3. Because of Brisbane’s vast sprawling suburban area it had become desirable to decentralize, so that everyone who wanted to play netball did not have to travel to one central area.

Already, Kenmore club had taken the initiative and formed the Western Districts Netball Association and therefore, Downey Park was then shared by other districts until other grounds could be found.

Our first season was delayed due to the courts having to be repaired after the 1974 floods. Metropolitan Districts shared the courts at Downey Park with the Downey Park Association. In our first year, we were allocated 15 courts at Downey Park (Numbers 19 to 33). Six of these courts were across the creek. The control centre for fixtures was a “Lean To” tent that had been donated by Mr. & Mrs Whell from Checkers Club and who pitched the tent each Saturday morning.