New changerooms, a gymnasium and an indoor training centre with synthetic grass have been revealed as signature features in a striking $8 million female-friendly remake of Casey Fields.
The Andrews Labor Government is delivering for female footballers by supporting top-quality facilities from grassroots to the elite level, so more women and girls have the opportunity to get involved.
The Labor Government will contribute $5 million to make the Casey Fields project happen, providing cutting-edge facilities for Melbourne Football Club’s AFLW team and grassroots pathway programs.
The project will also incorporate a new canteen for supporters at the Cranbourne East ground, which has been Melbourne FC’s women’s base since the inception of the AFLW in 2017.
The Government’s $5 million commitment is part of a $45 million investment in women’s football, to support the current crop of AFLW stars and the generations that will follow in their footsteps.
Grassroots clubs in the south-east of Melbourne and beyond will benefit through development programs run at Casey Fields by Melbourne FC.
Women’s football is booming in Victoria with the state recording a landmark 1,000 female teams in 2019, up from just 58 female teams in 2010.
The AFLW started with eight teams in 2017 but will become a 14-team competition in early 2020 when St Kilda, Richmond, West Coast and Gold Coast join the league.
The $45 million Labor Government investment in female football has also included $20 million for works at Ikon Park, a $13 million development at Moorabbin Oval, $5 million for Whitten Oval and $2 million for Victoria Park.
The Government has invested more than $850 million in community sport and recreation facilities since 2014, including building new female-friendly facilities at 150 locations across the state.
The City of Casey and AFL are also contributing to the Casey Fields works, which will begin shortly and are due for completion by mid-2020.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Martin Pakula
“These designs look terrific and the advantages that they will provide for girls and women in Melbourne’s south-east and beyond will be tremendous.”
“This will give our top AFLW players the facilities they deserve and provide a strong base to train up the next Daisy Pearces and Karen Paxmans.”
Quote attributable to Member for Cranbourne Pauline Richards
“This is about levelling the playing field – providing elite facilities for elite athletes. Female footy is booming in the south-east and it’s important that local girls can see a clear path to reach the top of their sport.”
Quote attributable to Melbourne Football Club chief executive Gary Pert
“The facilities will not only benefit our AFLW and VFLW programs but will be made available for community sport, which is great news for the local residents of Casey.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020