Victorians Set To Play The World Game At Better Facilities

The world game will get bigger and better for Victoria’s next generation of soccer stars with the Victorian Government today announcing a significant boost to grassroots football facilities.

Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence revealed that more than $4.9 million in grants would be awarded to 13 projects through the World Game Facilities Fund, continuing the good news for the sport following confirmation that Australia will co-host the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023.

Among the projects backed by the 2019-20 round of theFund, $500,000 will go towards a new pavilion and pitch lighting at Wonthaggi Recreation Reserve.

Once complete, the pavilion will feature female friendly change rooms, a referees room, canteen, accessible toilet and first aid and storage rooms. Along with the installation of 100-lux lighting, the Wonthaggi United Soccer Club will have a new home ground advantage for its growing number of junior and female members.

Other allocations include $400,000 towards a new pavilion at the home of the Hume Spears Sports Club – at Seth Raistrick Recreation Reserve in Campbellfield – and more than $185,000 towards new lighting at McIvor Reserve, Yarraville – the home of the Yarraville Glory Football Club.

Since 2018, the World Game Facilities Fund has invested $9.9 million in 38 game-changing infrastructure projects with a total project value of $25.5 million. The 2020-21 World Game Facilities Fund will open for applications in November.

This phase of the fund will provide grants of up to $500,000 to councils and alpine resort boards to improve facilities including lighting, turf pitch redevelopments, synthetic pitches and female friendly change rooms.

The Victorian Government has invested more than $915 million in community sport and recreation infrastructure since 2014.

For more information about the World Game Facilities Fund visit sport.vic.gov.au/grants-and-funding/our-grants/world-game-facilities-fund

Quotes attributable to Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence

“We’re on the hunt for the next Sam Kerr or Tim Cahill and we’re all inspired by what our Matildas have achieved already – this funding will give grassroots football the support it deserves.”

“We’re making sure that women and men, and girls and boys, of all abilities have the facilities they need to play the sports they love.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Bass Jordan Crugnale

“This is such fabulous news for Wonthaggi United and all clubs in the Gippsland Soccer League.”

“New A-grade facilities, lighting and change rooms will grow this great game, get more women and girls on the pitch and will match the talent and inclusive focus of this proud club.”

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