The damage comes just as the finishing touches are being added to a significant renovation of the facility.

Association director Sandra Mitchell said it was so disheartening as so many people had put their time and effort, all voluntary, into improving the facility for the community.

"We have 450 members and the stadium is used every day - their hearts have been ripped out by this vandalism," she said.

Ms Mitchell said a major investment of members' funds had led to substantial improvements to the stadium, which would be unveiled on September 13 during a Guinness World Record attempt at the game 'Knockout', followed by a match between the Hawks and the Kings.

All the asbestos has been removed from the building and the roof has been relined and insulated.

There are new walls for the top court and the upstairs section has been converted into club rooms including meeting space and a kitchen, and an improved viewing area.

Director Rick Davies said for the graffiti to come at a time, when they had put so much effort in, iwas devastating,"

"However, we have had such strong community support and lots of people have shared the graffiti on Facebook," he said.

"We now have very strong leads as to the culprits, and that information will be handed over to the police."

The directors are confident the people who defaced the stadium's walls will be found as the graffiti included the culprits' first names and a spray can was left at the scene.

"It's just so disappointing - what's the point of it," Mr Davies said.

For more information about the world record attempt go to www.mvbasketball.sportingpulse.net