Council and Community Unite for Inline Hockey - Rec Board Faces Growing Pressure

ADELAIDE, Australia - EntSun -- At City of Mitcham Council meeting on 12 August 2025, elected members and community advocates stood shoulder to shoulder in support of inline hockey and governance reform at the Blackwood Community Recreation Centre. The meeting followed the abrupt cancellation of inline hockey—a sport with a 30-year legacy at the Centre—without consultation or notice.

Councillor Karen Hockley moved a motion drawn directly from the community petition, stating:

"What it's asking us to do is... fast-track the changes to governance... because there's a real concern that... there'll be no inline hockey community left to play at Blackwood Rec. And that would really be quite sad. These sports all fundraised for the new building... all of them have a really deep stake in that building."

Councillor Darren Kruse seconded the motion, condemning the Rec board's decision:

"Behind our backs, behind the backs of Council... a sport that had been there for 30 years was cancelled." "This motion is the Council saying, please listen... It's a vote to give players a voice."

Council CEO Matt Pears affirmed Council's authority over the lease:

"This is our lease and we can dictate what we want in our lease... we don't really care about how you read that motion or don't read that motion."

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While the motion was narrowly defeated, Mayor Dr Heather Holmes-Ross confirmed that new motions will be brought to the future Council meetings.

Councillor Andrew Tilley announced his intent to escalate:

"I intend to move a motion... that we take the management of the Blackwood Centre out to public, private, commercial tender... and make a place for all the sports representation on that board."

Council also confirmed that a special meeting will be held to consider these motions, and that a formal timetable for lease negotiations and governance reform will be published. CEO Matt Pears stated:

"We will put out a timetable... and make that public... we will keep it up to date on how it is playing out. We will have more power and more ability to stipulate what we want to see in terms of governance, in terms of transparency, voice for sporting associations, voice for all members and all users of the facility."

Community members filled the gallery and delivered seven deputations, including from Blackwood Inline Hockey Club, Box Lacrosse, and multiple youth athletes.

The Rec Centre board now faces mounting pressure to hold a Special General Meeting within 21 days, amend its constitution, and restore trust. The next Council meeting on 26 August will be decisive.

For now, the puck is in the Rec board's court.