Bridgestone delivers new basketball & netball courts to South Western Sydney

I’ve got to know a stack about the good people at Bridgestone over the last few months. It all started back at Phillip Island when I was given the rundown on its new performance tyre, the Potenza S007A. One of the main things that struck me is that Bridgestone isn’t just a tyre company. A perfect example of that is this great story.

South-west Sydney now has a new community basketball and netball court, it can be found at Smith Park in East Hills. The project is Bridgestone’s first major local community program that falls under its Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic Partnerships.

The new courts were unveiled today by Olympic basketballer and Team Bridgestone Australia athlete, Joe Ingles.

Smith Park was in desperate need of an upgrade. As a result, Bridgestone Australia looked after the entire project. That included the amazing playing surface, new multi-purpose basketball and netball hoops. There’s also a fantastic mural designed by emerging artist Elliot Routledge.

Olympian Joe Ingles said, “To chase your dreams, you need access to the right facilities. It’s exciting to be involved in a project that gives back in such a significant way and helps provide an incredible place to play. Now the community has a court that makes a statement and truly motivates local kids and teens to chase their dreams,”

“I share the same passion Bridgestone has for giving back to the community, and now with kids of my own, I can honestly see how important it is that people are encouraged to follow their dreams,”added Ingles.

“The revamp of Smith Park is a fantastic demonstration of how Bridgestone gives back and wants to make a difference.

This isn’t just some feel good message; Bridgestone is really taking a stand to deliver these kinds of project. 

Bridgestone Australia and New Zealand Boss Stephen Roche said, “The transformation of Smith Park is a great example of ‘Our Way to Serve’ in action,”

“We know giving back to the community in such a significant way will encourage and inspire the next generation – whether that be local basketball and netball stars, or future Olympians and Paralympians.

“One of the focuses of ‘Our Way to Serve’ is to support people and I can’t think of a more tangible contribution to society than the upgrade and provision of inviting sporting facilities.

“I’m proud to join Joe Ingles in revealing the court and I’m excited to see the community enjoy the vibrant space it has become,” Mr Roche added.

This is just the start more community-based projects in the pipeline leading up to the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020.