More soccer players across Victoria will be practicing their passing at new and improved facilities with the Andrews Labor Government kicking in more than $3.8 million for 11 new community football infrastructure projects.
Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence today announced crucial support for new female-friendly change rooms at the home of the Diamond Valley Soccer Club - Partington Flats in Greensborough.
Players, volunteers and supporters on the Bellarine Peninsula (at Leopold), Box Hill, Bacchus Marsh and Corio are also among beneficiaries of grants awarded from the World Game Facilities Fund.
More than 456,000 men, women, boys and girls were registered to play soccer before the pandemic - the grants will help football clubs retain players and attract new participants with new facilities replacing ageing infrastructure.
The other projects to receive funding are:
- a female friendly pavilion upgrade at the home of FC Leopold - Estuary Reserve, Leopold
- a pavilion upgrade and new lighting at the home of Yarra Valley Soccer Club - Millgrove Reserve, Millgrove
- a female friendly pavilion upgrade at the home of Phillip Island Breakers Soccer Club - Newhaven Reserve
- a new pavilion at the home of the Victoria Park Soccer Club - Victoria Park, Newington
- new lighting at the home of the Darebin Falcons Women's Sports Club and Northern Falcons Soccer Club - GH Mott Reserve, Preston
- a new female friendly pavilion at the home of Box Hill United - Sparks West Reserve, Box Hill
- a new pitch and lighting at Mt Eliza Soccer Club's home - Emil Madsen Reserve
- lighting upgrades at the home of Manningham United Blues FC - Timber Ridge Reserve, Doncaster
- new pitches and lighting at the home of Bacchus Marsh Soccer Club - Bacchus Marsh Racecourse Recreation Reserve
- new female friendly pavilion upgrades at the home of Corio Soccer Club - Hume Reserve.
Since 2018, the Fund has invested $13.2 million in 48 game-changing infrastructure projects with a total value of more than $41 million. The next round of the World Game Facilities Fund will open for applications in August 2021.
For more information visit sport.vic.gov.au/grants-and-funding/our-grants/world-game-facilities-fund.
As stated by Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence
"Better sport and recreation facilities make it easier for Victorians to get active and lead healthy lifestyles."
"We're providing clubs like Victoria Park Soccer Club, Corio Soccer Club and Box Hill United with support for really important projects that will make the world of difference for local communities."
Quote attributable Football Victoria chief executive Kimon Taliadoros
"Football breaks down barriers and brings communities together - we're delighted to see even more clubs able to meet community demand through the latest round of the World Game Facilities Fund."
As stated by Corio Soccer Club president Mario Gregorio
"We are delighted to see the pavilion project progressing and extremely thankful for the support of our local member John Eren and the Victorian Government."
