Coomera FC will have their clubhouse and fields upgraded next year, with the multi-million dollar operation set to be completed by June 2025.
The upgrades include three full size pitches under lights at Viney Park, the club’s home ground, which is being funded by the City of Gold Coast to the tune of $5 million.
A $2.3 million funding grant for a replacement of the clubhouse at the premises was also approved by the City of Gold Coast. This funding is now also supported by the Federal Government.
“We will be seeking an additional funding from QLD Government, Football Australia and Football Queensland,” a club spokesperson stated.
“The concepts provided are the concepts the club is committed to and we will be working closely with the City of Gold Coast to deliver this project. in the event of additional funding being required the club will source that funding from Fund Raising and Sponsorship support.”
Currently, the clubhouse doesn’t have female friendly change rooms, so the slated upgrades will dramatically improve conditions for females involved within the club.
“The upgrades are essential to facilitate female participation,” a spokesperson stated.
“The existing Clubhouse is approximately 40 years old and totally inadequate for our female members. We currently have females either changing before they get to the fields or at times changing on the fields due to the inadequacy of our changing facilities.”
The upgrades will provide the club and the local community in Coomera with many positives over time.
“The field upgrades will provide 3 full size fields under lights with full size fields to the east and west of the new clubhouse, which is not the case currently,” a spokesperson for the club said.
“This will enable fixtures to be run in closer proximity to the clubhouse providing more convenient access to facilities to our players, coaches, officials and parents.”
The replacement of the clubhouse will support the club’s recent advancement into the FQ Academy Leagues for Miniroos and uniors providing the highest standard facilities which is a premium asset to the game of football within our community and the state.
It will also improve the amenity for all members, and as a community-based club of approximately 800 members, we will continue to have a strong socially based membership of approximately 650 members providing ‘Minimum Viable Products’ which is essential for our community participation in football
The upgraded facility combined with the advanced football programs means that our players can develop within their community and do not need to travel significant distances and incur significant fees to pursue advanced football.
The club itself has grown significantly over the past few years, with Brisbane Roar legend Henrique being heavily involved in the make of the setup.
“Henrique was engaged as our Technical Director in 2019, with the commencement of the current committee, with a vision to improve the standard of coaching and create advanced football opportunities for our members,” a club spokesperson explained.
“At the time of his engagement, we participated in Football Queensland South Coast Miniroos and junior and senior competitive competitions.
After this with the elevation of coaching within the club we now participate in Football Queensland Academy Leagues for Miniroos and juniors (Under 10 to Under 18) and have developed our own competition for our under 5 to under 7 players in a format designated ‘Friday Night Lights’, where 16 to 24 teams have competitions every Friday night between 4:30PM to 6:30PM.
On the back of these upgrades the club wants to continue to grow and has clear strategic priorities to take them to the next level.
“Firstly, we want to elevate the structure of our coaching to ensure that the highest level of football is attainable in a community environment – to enable footballers to remain in their community,” a spokesperson said.
“Secondly, but as equally important, is to improve the facilities available to all members so we can provide a modern, appropriate, safe and enjoyable environment for our footballing community.
“The first component is a continuing journey and there will be a strong emphasis on growing the female participation on the back of the Women’s World Cup success and offering the same advanced opportunities for our girls to develop within their community.
“As the club increases its membership beyond the current capacity of approximately 900 members, we will seek to either improve the current facilities to increase the capacity,” the spokesperson added,
“The club remains committed to our community to provide the best footballing experiences which is embodied in our current mission: ‘We exist to serve grassroots football, create player pathways, and provide quality football experiences that cater for all participants’.”
