Box Hill United thrives with lighting upgrade

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Wembley Park
Image credit: Sport & Recreation Victoria

Box Hill United is celebrating its centenary year of existence in style with new lighting at their home of Wembley Park as part of recent upgrades in the area.

The Victorian Government, through their Community Sports Infrastructure Stimulus Program, has established new LED lighting systems at Wembley Park, RHL Sparks Reserve, Walker Park and Box Hill Gardens. It has not only benefited Box Hill United, but also other nearby community sporting clubs such as the Box Hill Rugby Union Football Club, Mitcham Football Club and many more.

Box Hill United cater for senior and junior teams from men’s and women’s and head into a new season with a boost to their resources.

In addition to the initial funding of over $1.23 million towards the establishment of LED lights, Whitehorse Council also contributed more than $380,000, enabling clubs situated at these venues to host competitions under lights and organise twilight training sessions and development programs.

With the view to encourage participation in local sporting clubs and organisations, the Victorian Government has allocated $88 million in its budget for enhancing community sports and developing active recreational infrastructure programs.

Box Hill United highlighted the importance of investments such as these via social media posts – which are not only beneficial for players but also for local residents who have access to great suburban infrastructure now and in the future, enabling them to back grassroots sports in and around Box Hill with an estimated population of over 14,300.

Along with encouraging participation in local sporting clubs, the investment projects enabled to further enhance the Victorian economy by creating jobs and more than 13 people were actively employed during the construction phase of this project.

Additionally, a Matt Guy Liberals and Nationals Government have committed to provide $3 million towards upgrades at Sparks Reserve West if elected.

The investment will include a new synthetic turf surface to assist with training for Box Hill United’s teams conducting training at Sparks Reserve.

“Sporting clubs play an integral role in community recovery after two years of disruption,” Shadow Minster for Sports Cindy McLeish said in a statement.

“Grant programs such as these are all about improving physical as well as mental well-being, rejuvenating local economies, creating employment opportunities and optimizing social outcomes for local communities.

“Anything that helps encourage Victorians to get active or participate in local sporting groups is a win for the community.”
“This commitment by the Liberals and Nationals is a real solution to back grassroots sport here in Box Hill and provides local residents and families with facilities to be proud of.”

Liberal Candidate for Box Hill, Nicole Ta-Ei Werner, was proud to be able to offer real solutions for the Box Hill community.

“Box Hill United is in its 100th year and this important investment will benefit so many players, residents and every other local who wants access to great suburban infrastructure now and into the future,” she said in a statement.

“I’ve listened to the local community and only a Matt Guy led Liberals and Nationals Government will deliver this important upgrade for Sparks Reserve West.”
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Football Has the Audience. Does It Have the Commercial Strategy?

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Image Credit: One Nil Media

Soccerscene has launched Survey 4: Commercial Confidence in Football, calling on clubs, sponsors, governing bodies, commercial leaders and football industry professionals to assess whether the game is making the most of its enormous commercial potential.

Football has the audience, participation base and community reach to be one of Australia’s most powerful commercial platforms. But does the industry have the commercial strategy, professionalism and infrastructure required to turn that potential into sustainable growth?

That is the question at the centre of Soccerscene’s latest industry research.

The survey examines how attractive grassroots football is to potential commercial partners, what industry professionals believe is limiting football’s commercial potential, and whether clubs are presenting themselves professionally enough to sponsors.

It also explores what sponsors value most when engaging with football – from community reach and participation scale to brand alignment, values and purpose – as well as whether improved facilities could directly contribute to stronger sponsorship outcomes.

Is football fully capitalising on its commercial opportunity?

Football continues to provide brands with access to highly engaged communities across grassroots, community and elite environments. Yet the commercial landscape remains fragmented, with clubs operating with vastly different levels of resources, capability, governance, media infrastructure and commercial expertise.

Soccerscene’s survey is designed to capture the industry’s perspective on where the opportunities exist – and where football may be leaving commercial value on the table.

The research will look specifically at four key areas:

  • Commercial attractiveness – How attractive is grassroots football as a commercial partnership?
  • Commercial barriers – What is holding football back from reaching its full commercial potential?
  • Club professionalism – Are clubs presenting themselves effectively and professionally to sponsors?
  • Sponsor value – What are sponsors really looking for when they invest in football?

The survey also asks whether better facilities would have a direct impact on sponsorship outcomes, highlighting the potential relationship between infrastructure, commercial presentation and investment.

Have your say

Soccerscene is encouraging football clubs, sponsors, commercial professionals, governing bodies, administrators, media professionals and industry stakeholders to participate.

The findings will contribute to Soccerscene’s ongoing program of industry research, designed to provide a clearer picture of the challenges and opportunities facing football and the organisations operating within it.

Take the Survey: Commercial Confidence in Football

Complete the Commercial Confidence in Football Survey here

The survey will close on 30 August 2026 at midnight, with responses received before the deadline included in the final analysis.

Football has the audience. The question is whether it has the commercial strategy to match.

Football Queensland’s Logan hub plan rejected by council

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Image Credits: Football Queensland

Football Queensland’s plans for a major new football hub at Meakin Park have been rejected by Logan City Council. The proposed $76.1 million redevelopment aimed to create a state home for football in Queensland.

Council unanimously rejected Football Queensland’s request for longer-term leases and additional land at the Slacks Creek site. The decision leaves the organisation’s current leases in place. The proposed development would have delivered new playing fields, elite training facilities and a dedicated home for Football Queensland.

Three-stage development

The first stage of Queensland Football’s development carried an $8.5 million price tag. It would upgrade fields, lighting, drainage and irrigation across Meakin and Mappas parks. The goal was to create a six-field, international-standard training venue.

The second stage represented the largest investment. Football Queensland planned to spend $55.3 million on a new headquarters at the adjoining Queens Park site. The facility would include a Women and Girls Academy, sports science facilities, sports medicine and strength and conditioning services.

A third $12.3 million stage would add an indoor futsal academy and two synthetic fields. Football Queensland said the project could create a major football precinct for the region. It also saw the facility playing a role in Queensland’s preparations for Brisbane 2032 and beyond.

Lease decision creates roadblock

Queensland’s governing body sought a 25-year lease with an option for another 25 years. Chief executive Robert Cavallucci said longer tenure was essential to secure government funding and move the project forward. The organisation has around three years remaining on its existing leases.

Council took a different view. Concerns included community access, funding certainty, future costs and the level of use at the existing facilities. Councillors also questioned whether a long-term arrangement would deliver enough benefit to Logan residents and grassroots clubs. Logan Council has now ordered a review of Football Queensland’s performance under its current lease.

Grassroots football at the centre

The decision highlights a wider issue for football infrastructure. Major facilities can provide elite pathways, sports science and high-performance opportunities, but unless councils can ensure local players and clubs can access the fields, they will be rejected.

Meakin Park already serves several sporting organisations, including football users and community sporting groups. Football Queensland said it had invested almost $2 million at Meakin Park and Mappas fields. It also argued the precinct operates at around 130 per cent capacity. For Queensland football, the challenge now is finding a model that can deliver high-performance facilities while expanding access for the community.

The proposal may have been rejected, but the need for better football infrastructure remains. With participation growing and Brisbane’s 2032 Olympic Games approaching, the debate over where and how Queensland builds its next generation of football facilities is unlikely to disappear.

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