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Darebin Soccer Nets $150,000 Towards New Lighting

13 September 2018

The growing ranks of the Darebin United Soccer Club will soon be playing under lights thanks to a $150,000 grant from the latest round of the Andrews Labor Government’s $180 million Community Sports Infrastructure Fund.

Minister for Sport John Eren today visited Mayer Park, the club’s home, to announce a $150,000 boost towards the installation of lights around their home pitch at the popular Thornbury sports hub.

Sport clubs like United are the lifeblood of their communities, which is why the Labor Government is getting on with delivering the facilities they deserve.

With more than 350,000 participants state-wide, football is as popular as ever and the Labor Government is delivering the accessible, safe and modern facilities our growing communities deserve.

The current dim lights have meant shorter training times, overuse of certain sections of the pitch, and less opportunity for the club’s teams to utilise the whole ground safely, especially during twilight training.

Once complete, the new brighter lights (100 lux) will mean the reserve can be used longer into the evening.

That will give Darebin’s growing ranks, from the under 11s to the women’s seniors, more opportunities to use more of the pitch more of the time and even host night matches.

This project is one of over 90 funded through the flagship Community Sports Infrastructure Fund, which received a $60 million boost in the Victorian Budget 2018/19.

We've invested more than $420 million in community sport and recreation facilities cross Victoria, and earlier this year provided almost half a billion dollars to support sport and active recreation at all levels.

Minister Eren acknowledged the City of Darebin and Darebin United Soccer Club for their financial contribution to the project.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Sport John Eren

“Growing numbers of boys, girls, men and women are signing up to play soccer at local clubs, so we need to ensure these clubs have the facilities they need to ensure no-one is turned away.”

“This fund is giving local communities the facilities they need, so more locals can play the sports they love.”

Quote attributable to Member for Northern Metropolitan Region Jenny Mikakos

“This is a wonderful result for the Darebin United Soccer Club – this grant will support the growing number of people in the area keen to get involved in local sport.”

Reviewed 19 August 2020

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