Football Tasmania has welcomed Labor’s commitment to improve football infrastructure and to support more Tasmanians in enjoying the game, including the construction of a boutique rectangular stadium in Hobart.
If elected, Labor has committed to matching the Liberals’ $10 million worth of upgrades to Valley Road, Birch Avenue, Lightwood Park and Churchill Park in order to prepare each venue for the hosting of basecamps for the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
In addition, Labor will put $4.8 million towards infrastructure upgrades at the Clare Street, Montello Road, Somerset, Ulverstone, Prospect Vale and Wentworth Park footballing venues.
In what comes as exciting news for Tasmania’s potential bid for an A-League side, Labor has committed to building a 10,000-15,000 seat capacity boutique rectangular stadium in Hobart if elected in majority.
Football Tasmania CEO Matt Bulkeley thanked Labor for their recognition of the value that grassroots football has for communities.
“As Tasmania’s most played team sport, football provides enormous health, social and economic benefits to the community,” he said.
“However, as the sport continues to grow, we are beginning to outgrow our facilities, with challenges finding enough adequate training, playing and changing-room spaces for our expanding participant base.
“We thank Labor for today’s commitment, which in addition to allowing more Tasmanians to access our great game, will also put the upgraded venues in a great position to be selected as 2023 World Cup training bases.”
Bulkeley acknowledged that the prospect of a rectangular stadium in Tasmania would take football to the next level in the state.
“We’re excited about Labor’s vision to build a rectangular stadium in Hobart, which will truly take the game to the next level in Tasmania and help us attract more high-level content to clear pathways for our talented juniors to reach the pinnacles of our sport,” he added.
“It’s great to see both major parties have now demonstrated their commitment to a rectangular stadium in the state, and clearly recognise the significant value football provides to the community.
“We look forward to working with the next Government to make a rectangular stadium a reality, and ensure football can continue to grow so even more Tasmanians can enjoy the benefits of the World Game.”
