The Andrews Labor Government will fund a new Melbourne Victory Football Academy in Footscray Park as part of the biggest investment in women's and community sport in Victoria's history.
Minister for Sport John Eren announced today that the Labor Government will provide $10 million to help build the academy, which will provide a home for the Melbourne Victory W-League and juniors with the best facilities.
The academy will feature new and upgraded training and match day fields – a massive boost for the women’s team that have had to share facilities till now.
There will be new female-friendly change rooms for players and umpires as well as administration areas.
The funding is part of a $241.6 million boost for women's and community sport in the Victorian Budget 2018/19, which includes well over $100 million to improve facilities for women's sport including:
- $67 million for elite women's facilities, including $20 million to redevelop Ikon Park into the home of AFLW
- $64.6 million for the redevelopment of the State Netball and Hockey Centre
- $15 million boost for the Female Friendly Facilities Fund
When it comes to football, participation is booming with more than 350,000 Victorians playing the world game.
That’s why the Labor Government is helping local football clubs improve their facilities and encouraging more locals to play with the new $2.5 million The World Game Facilities Fund.
The dedicated fund will allow football clubs and organisations to apply for support to deliver projects such as new lighting, pitch upgrades and building female-friendly change rooms.
This comes on top of a further $60 million for community sporting grants and $5 million for Community Sports Infrastructure Loans, which will unlock up to $100 million to upgrade local facilities.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Sport John Eren
“We know we need to do more to support women and girls in professional sport, so we are proud to be providing a home for Melbourne Victory’s fantastic W-League team.”
“We are levelling the playing field for women’s sport – upgrading changerooms, ground and elite facilities across Victoria.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Footscray Marsha Thomson
"This is a major investment in Melbourne Victory, in women's football and in the west."
"The upgrade will provide the dedicated facilities the Victory need to train, compete and grow – both on and off the field.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020