The Mooroopna Football Netball Club will be able to stage blockbuster Goulburn Valley Football League night matches on home soil thanks to an $80,000 Andrews Labor Government grant.
Minister for Sport John Eren today joined Greater Shepparton City Mayor Dennis Patterson and Cats members to unveil the facility upgrade funded by the Country Football Netball Program. The competition-standard lighting will pave the way for night clashes at the popular footy venue.
Night fixtures are fast becoming common in country and metropolitan leagues across Victoria. They allow clubs to draw bigger crowds, ensuring vital revenue. Having state-of-the-art facilities helps clubs like Mooroopna attract new players from nearby and afar.
The Mooroopna Football Netball Club boasts 1300 members, proving grassroots sport is more popular than ever.
The Labor Government is listening to community clubs, who say they need improved lighting so they can conduct more training sessions and stage the big events.
The Government is committed to upgrading community sports facilities across the state for all Victorians.
The Government is investing $100 million to help clubs update tired grounds and build the facilities they need, including a $10 million pool for women’s change rooms. The Government is also installing 1000 life-saving defibrillators at grassroots venues across Victoria.
The Mooroopna lighting project is in conjunction with the Greater Shepparton City Council and Mooroopna Football Netball Club.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Sport John Eren
“We’ve promised regional Victorians the sporting facilities they deserve and we’re getting on with building them.”
“With upgrades like these, there’s no telling how far an ambitious club like Mooroopna can go. Perhaps the next Cats flag is just around the corner.”
“Night football is becoming common at the grassroots level. It brings big crowds, and that means increased participation and vital revenue for country clubs.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020