Deputy premier John Barilaro and local member Troy Grant were on hand to announce the formation of the $44.5 million centre on Tuesday morning, with basketball one of the many sports to benefit.

While construction won’t start until May of next year at the earliest, Hargreaves couldn’t hide her excitement following the announcement.

“The kids who play in representative sides don’t get to play locally at all. Some have never even played a game where their family and friends have watched,” the DBA’s director of coaching said.

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“And I know Basketball Australia has committed to bringing state and national event out here when it is complete.

“We’re over the moon.”

It will also allow the DBA to grow it’s competition and training programs, having outgrown its current home at the Dubbo Sportsworld courts.

While a host of junior players have impressed on the representative scene, the association’s real success has been the development of it’s Friday night competition.

There, masses of local juniors have come to take part and develop their skills. However, it is becoming increasingly difficult to give the youngsters every chance to shine.

“We’ve got 217 kids on a Friday night and we can’t grow bigger because we don’t have the facilities to match it,” Hargreaves said.

“We even have to use the soccer fields outside for the little ones because we’ve got no room, so to be able to grow is phenomenal.”