$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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Football QLD to team up with Restore Function Physiotherapy

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Football Queensland announced last week it will be partnering with Restore Function Physiotherapy in a multi-year collaboration.

Elite preparation and performance

By establishing a long-term partnership with a business dedicated to supporting athletes in the region, Football Queensland are showing their commitment to supporting current and future players in their physical preparation.

Furthermore, by ensuring injuries are kept at bay through physiotherapy, strength and conditioning services, Restore Function Physiotherapy will help Football Queensland to keep their most talented players fit and firing throughout the season.

Football Queensland CEO, Robert Cavallucci, expressed his delight at establishing the alliance and what it means for Football Queensland’s football development going forward.

“Our partnership with Restore Function Physiotherapy is a key step in continuing to raise the standard of FQ Academy and State Team programs,” Cavallucci said via press release.

“Restore Function Physiotherapy will deliver a range of services across our boys’ and girls’ pathways, including training and match coverage, injury screening, rehabilitation and high performance support,” he continued.

“The experience everyone at Restore Function Physiotherapy bring from elite sport will help to further professionalise our programs and support the long-term development and wellbeing of Queensland players.”

 

Supporting long-term development

As Football Queensland looks to build a sustainable footballing future across the region, prioritising players’ health will be essential. With training partners like Restore Function Physiotherapy, clubs can help their players become elite athletes, ultimately improving the footballing standards on the pitch.

Restore Function Physiotherapy Owner and Founder, Miranda O’Hara, revealed her pride at having established an alliance with Football QLD for the upcoming season and beyond.

“We’re proud to partner with Football Queensland and support its Academy and State Team players with high quality, evidence-based physiotherapy and high performance programs,” O’Hara said via press release.

“Our role is to work closely with players and staff to deliver injury prevention, rehabilitation and S&C programs that support sustainable high performance and long-term athlete development.”

It is clear that the impact of a partnership between Football QLD and Restore Function Physiotherapy goes far beyond a mere commercial venture. It is an alliance which can help a local business, as well as nurture future talents coming through the Football QLD system.

Ultimately, by providing Queensland players with elite training and support networks, a distinct culture of excellence and professionalism is created before they step onto the pitch.

 

Read more about Restore Function Physiotherapy and the services they provide here.

 

Who are the Key Speakers at the 2026 FV Club Administrator Conference?

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Football Victoria (FV) has confirmed the expert lineup for the 2026 Club Administrator Conference, set to take place at The Home of The Matildas on Saturday, 7 February.

While the annual forum remains a staple of the pre-season calendar, the 2026 edition arrives against a backdrop of increasing administrative complexity for the state’s grassroots ecosystem. Consequently, this year’s schedule moves beyond standard networking to prioritise specific subject matter experts who address three distinct pressure points: digital transition, infrastructure investment, and operational risk management.

Digital and Infrastructure Strategy

For club administrators, the immediate operational focus remains the integration of the new Dribl platform. However, FV’s Head of Government Relations & Strategy, Lachlan Cole, drives the broader strategic conversation.

Cole dissects the Facilities Strategy 2025-2035 during the “Level The Playing Field” session. Crucially, a bipartisan panel featuring Parliamentary Friends of Football Co-Conveners Anthony Cianflone MP and John Pesutto MP joins him. With the 2026 state election looming, their involvement offers clubs a rare mechanism to understand how to leverage political support for infrastructure funding.

Risk and Compliance

The burden of compliance on volunteers remains a central theme. Tom Dixon, National Manager at Play by the Rules, confronts the tightening regulatory environment regarding member protection. Dixon delivers a technical breakdown on complaints management, specifically targeting the tangible liability risks that volunteer boards face.

Moreover, Outside the Locker Room CEO Todd Morgan turns the lens toward the psychosocial environment. Morgan presents frameworks for managing mental well-being, equipping administrators with the tools to navigate high-pressure sporting contexts.

Further strengthening the governance focus, FV Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Project Manager Sophie Byrnes outlines the organisation’s new DEI Framework. Her session examines how clubs embed these standards into core business operations rather than treating them as peripheral activities. This structural approach finds a complement in Tarik Bayrakli. Bringing seven years of development experience, Bayrakli presents the ‘A.W.E.S.O.M.E.’ framework, a systematic methodology designed to help committees move beyond simple punitive measures and address club culture at the source.

Ultimately, this speaker lineup represents a shift from general club development to specific technical upskilling, reflecting the professionalisation required of modern volunteer committees.

 

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