I received this from Nissan on Wednesday 11/03/2026

Dear Mark,

We are writing to formally raise some concerns regarding participant behaviour during your recent bookings at Nissan Arena. On the 13th of February, my colleague Amber raised the following concerns, and I’m afraid they have not improved since that time.

Issue 1:

“Running through courts that have active bookings, including Taekwondo sessions. These sessions can involve the use of training weapons, making this behaviour extremely dangerous. We have received feedback from multiple hirers that this has created safety concerns and disruptions to their bookings.”

Unfortunately, this behaviour has continued and remains very concerning as it poses a safety hazard both to the participants running through active bookings and to those who have hired the other courts.

For example, if a child were to run through a Taekwondo training session and a participant was unaware that someone had entered their court, they may swing a training weapon, assuming the court area is clear. This could result in injury to the child, potentially including serious head injuries, which we should all actively work to prevent.

Additionally, running through the courts can disrupt other hirers using the space. For example, they could be placed at risk if a participant runs into their training space, blocks their pathway, or interferes with their session.

Other hirers using Nissan Arena remain respectful of Runcorn Rockets and their use of the courts. We ask that this respect goes both ways and that participants consider how their behaviour may impact others in the venue.

Issue 2:

“Shooting basketballs into netball hoops, despite being told several times not to do so. This damages the netball hoops by bending them downward. Basketballs are to be used only with basketball hoops.”

We have observed this happening while they are waiting for their session to start or as they are leaving their session. In particular, this is frustrating for our venue staff as when we approach them to tell them to stop, they immediately stop once they see us coming. This shows us they are aware of the rule breaking but will continue to do so until they are told otherwise.

First and foremost, Nissan Arena is the home venue for the Queensland Firebirds, who occasionally use the upstairs courts for training sessions. Additionally, we host several netball competitions (HART Premier League, GBNL, and Mixed M-League), as well as other community club training sessions.

It is therefore of the utmost importance that equipment remains in proper working order for everyone using the venue.

Using basketballs on netball hoops causes the hoops to bend backwards and interferes with the venue’s ability to provide suitable equipment for netball bookings. This behaviour has even caused some staff members to delay setting up netball courts out of concern that participants may continue shooting basketballs through the hoops. Even small delays in court setup can interrupt other operational duties within the venue.

The above issues remain persistent among club participants despite our initial email to the club last month. Below are additional behaviours we have observed during recent bookings.

Issue 3:

Bouncing balls and running on the concourse and pathways.

We have noticed in recent weeks that participants are bouncing basketballs on the concourse and running along the concourse and pathways when moving to their courts. While we appreciate the participants’ enthusiasm and eagerness to attend their sessions and improve their skills, this behaviour poses a safety hazard to other venue users and creates a risk of damage to nearby furniture and equipment.

If a child loses control of a ball, it could strike another visitor or damage glass doors, windows, or furniture provided for visitors at Nissan Arena. We ask that participants keep basketballs within the courts assigned to Runcorn Rockets and limit any running to their training sessions in a safe and contained environment.

Issue 4:

Coaches using another court to warm up

It was observed on a few occasions that Coaches had their players on other courts (for example, Court 4) and just let them warm-up and shoot balls into the Netball hoops set-up. On Monday, both staff members had to approach the Coaches and players to remind them that they are not allowed to be warming up on another court and shooting balls in the Netball hoops.

As stated in our previous email, Runcorn Rockets have only the courts they have hired and paid for and are to not use other courts that have been set-up for another booking / have active bookings on them already.

Issue 5:

Stealing chairs from courts

Staff members have observed some parents and guardians have been stealing chairs from other courts - this means that other people on those courts are unable to sit down for the duration of their booking.

We ask that parents and guardians use the blue benches and 6 chairs specifically at Court 3 and 5 to avoid any disruptions to other bookings.

Participants cannot play or run on other courts that have been set up, are currently in use, or have been prepared for upcoming bookings.

Your booking provides access only to the courts allocated to your sessions, which are typically Court 3 and Court 5, depending on whether you have booked one or two courts, as these are our designated basketball courts. We ask that all participants and spectators remain within their designated area and use the carpeted pathways to access their courts rather than walking across other courts.

Entering other courts can damage equipment, pose significant safety hazards, and disrupt other community hirers who have paid for exclusive use of their court.

This is the second time we have had to formally raise these concerns. If the behaviour outlined above continues, we will have no choice but to escalate the matter to upper management, who will determine appropriate consequences for the individuals involved and/or the club as a whole.

These behaviours are in breach of the Terms and Conditions that Runcorn Rockets has signed on behalf of the club, and we expect all participants to adhere to them. Failure to comply with these rules may result in consequences including removal from the venue, potential bans, and/or financial consequences.

Please see the relevant excerpts from the Terms and Conditions below, which outline the expected standards of behaviour and potential consequences.

Page 1/6

Access (Found on Page 1 of Terms and Conditions)

• Nissan Arena may refuse to admit and/or remove from the venue any person who is not conducting themselves in a proper, orderly, or lawful manner. This includes any person who refuses to obey a direction from staff.

Centre Rules (Found on Pages 2 and 3 of Terms and Conditions)

• No bouncing, kicking, or throwing balls in the Level 01 concourse/pathways or against walls.

• No running in the Level 01 concourse/pathways.

We ask that Runcorn Rockets coaches help reinforce these expectations during your bookings. Even simple reminders at the start or end of sessions (for example, reminding participants not to use basketballs on netball hoops or to stay off other courts) can assist greatly in maintaining these standards.

We understand coaches are focused on delivering their training sessions; however, maintaining these expectations requires both venue staff and Runcorn Rockets working together to remind participants of the venue rules.

It is a privilege for clubs to train at a world-class venue such as Nissan Arena, and we expect our standards and rules to be upheld by all participants.

We appreciate your cooperation and prompt attention in addressing these matters with your participants to ensure the safety of all visitors and the protection of the venue and its equipment.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you would like to discuss this further. Our staff members are always happy to provide further clarification.

Kind Regards,

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