$200,000 committed towards feasibility study for boutique Dandenong stadium

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The Victorian government has announced $100,000 in funding for a feasibility review for a proposed 15,000 seat boutique Dandenong stadium.
Artwork for Team 11s proposed stadium

The Victorian Government has announced $100,000 in funding for a feasibility review and development of a business case for a proposed 15,000 seat boutique Dandenong stadium. 

The City of Greater Dandenong has already pledged to match the contribution from the Andrews State Government for a total of $200,000, and will lead the project.

Cranbourne Star News reported earlier in the week that the Greater Dandenong Council was lobbying for $110 million to build a 15,000 seat stadium in the South East to host Melbourne City games in the future.

Along with a rectangular playing field and stadium, the project would include facilities for education, training, community outreach programs, and conferences. The funding will contribute towards identifying the scope and cost of the project, as well as ownership and management options. 

The money for the feasibility review and development of the business case is being funded from the Labor Government’s ongoing Revitalising Central Dandenong initiative.

Minister for Tourism, Sport, and major Events, Martin Pakula, explained that the announced funding was the first step in making a boutique stadium in Dandenong a reality.

“The development of a feasibility review and business case is an important step for the proposed Dandenong rectangular stadium,” he said.

“All stakeholders need to have full information at their disposal and that’s what this work will provide.”

Head of Government Relations & Facilities at Football Victoria, Sebastian Hassett, tweeted his support of the plan.

“The big football vision for Melbourne’s south-east is really taking shape now,” he wrote.

“The corridor between Caulfield, Cranbourne & Pakenham has an insatiable appetite for football. A stadium to call their own would be a game-changer.”

Local member for Dandenong Gabrielle Williams believes that Melbourne City’s relocation to the Dandenong area was a key reason for the development of the plan.

“Sport is booming in our local region, as evidenced by Melbourne City’s relocation to the southeast. It’s fantastic that we are moving to the feasibility review stage for the very exciting Dandenong stadium proposal,” she said.

The Victorian Government has announced a number of funding initiatives for football specific infrastructure this year, including funding for upgrades to National Premier League grounds and regional soccer fields.

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Labor announces campaign promise for Football facility upgrades in Hepburn Shire

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Soccer Facilities Set for $1.2 Million Upgrade in Hepburn Shire
Image Credit: Poppy Pix/ Shutterstock

The growing participation of women and girls in soccer throughout the Hepburn Shire is set to receive a significant boost, with two local facilities earmarked for major upgrades.

Member for Ballarat Catherine King announced the funding commitment which targets Victoria Park in Daylesford and the Doug Lindsay Recreation Reserve in Creswick.

This funding is totalled at $1.2 million should the Federal Labor Government secure re-election on May 3. These upgrades address critical infrastructure shortfalls that have hindered growth in female participation.

Labor Federal MP Catherine King, who has held the Labor ‘stronghold’ seat since the 2022 election has been vocal in her support for women’s football and the struggles faced.

“The current situation where women and girls are forced to use men’s changerooms, cars or old sheds for match preparation is simply not acceptable in modern sport,” King commented via The Ballarat Times.

“These clubs have created welcoming environments that women and girls want to be part of, and these upgrades will provide the facilities they deserve.”

The Daylesford and Hepburn United Soccer Club, which currently supports approximately 150 players including 40 female participants, has been forced to implement membership caps due to inadequate pitch capacity.

The proposed reconfiguration at Victoria Park will deliver two senior-sized pitches, accommodating the surge in junior and women’s participation.

Meanwhile, at the Doug Lindsay Recreation Reserve, funding will enable the construction of additional female-friendly changing facilities for both players and officials.

The commitment reflects the changing landscape of Australian soccer, with female participation rates continuing to climb nationwide.

Local sporting administrators have welcomed the announcement, noting that inadequate facilities have long been identified as a significant barrier to growing female participation in grassroots sport.

These election commitments would be delivered in accordance with Commonwealth Grants Rules and Principles should the Albanese Government secure another term.

The need for development of local facilities has become more evident and pressing. Most amateur clubs primary funding for upgrades is through government grants.

Sport is such an integral part of the Australian landscape and the need for fair opportunity for women gains momentum, promises like this hold great hope for people and lasting positive impacts.

As the most played sport in the state and Australia, especially among women, its positive to hear that, like other codes football is getting the recognition and support it deserves.

DAZN turns down LFP proposal to end Ligue 1 broadcasting deal

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Image credit: DAZN

Broadcaster DAZN has rejected a proposal brought forward by the French Professional Football League (LFP) to terminate its five-year broadcasting deal for Ligue 1 after one season.

The sports streaming platform originally signed a five-year deal worth AUD $715 million (€400 million) a year to broadcast eight out of the nine Ligue 1 matches each week.

But with fewer subscribers than expected — reportedly only around 500,000, far below the 1.5 million needed to break even, the company has been pushing to renegotiate the deal.

In February, DAZN held back half of a AUD $125 million (€70 million) payment, accusing the LFP of not doing enough to fight piracy.

It also criticised the league and clubs for not promoting its broadcasts or collaborating on content.

The LFP responded by taking legal action, and DAZN eventually made the payment by the end of the month.

In March, both sides entered mediation to reach a compromise.

According to several reports, the proposed solution would have DAZN pay the league AUD$250 million (€140 million) — covering the full amount owed for this season — plus up to AUD$223.6 million (€125 million) in compensation for next season.

After that, the deal will officially end at the close of the current season.

This week, Ligue 1 clubs voted in favour of the proposal but DAZN has now rejected it, paving the way for possible legal action.

As a result, the LFP released a statement regarding DAZN’s rejection of the proposal.

“LFP Media notes the failure of the mediation initiated at the beginning of March 2025,” they said in a press release.

“The contract binding the parties remains in force and LFP Media expects its partner to fully fulfil all of its obligations in this regard.”

Before the mediation process began, DAZN had demanded AUD $1.025 billion (€573 million) in compensation from the LFP, accusing the league of not living up to its end of the deal.

In response to the LFP, DAZN released its own statement.

“After four months of discussions — including six weeks of mediation — initiated in good faith by DAZN and involving several proposals, the mediation unfortunately did not succeed in sufficiently bridging the gap between the parties,” they said following the LFP’s statement.

“It has therefore not been possible at this stage to reach an agreement for an amicable resolution of the situation.”

DAZN’s rejection of the deal has effectively ended the mediation process, with negotiations between the streaming service and the LFP now finished.

However, reports from France indicate that the two sides are expected to meet again on April 30th, the deadline for DAZN’s next payment for the current season.

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