Pascoe Vale FC announces $500,000 grant to build a new synthetic pitch

Pascoe Vale FC has announced it will construct a new synthetic soccer pitch at its Hosken Reserve ground with the assistance of a $500,000 government grant.

Lou Tona, President of Pascoe Vale FC was delighted to share the news, considering it a major victory for the club.

“We are eternally grateful to the Moreland City Council, Lizzie Blandthorn, and the Victorian State Government. We are looking to increase our membership base and provide the best environment for our girls and boys teams,” Tona said.

The grant comes courtesy of a combined contribution from the Moreland City Council and the State Government’s World Game Facilities Fund.

The fund, launched in 2018, was designed to assist local football clubs to upgrade their existing facilities, or develop new infrastructure. To date, it has already contributed more than $10 million across 38 projects in regional and urban Victoria.

The new synthetic pitch will bolster Pascoe Vale FC’s existing training facilities and provide junior girls and boys at the club with the best possible opportunities to develop.

“We will be able to increase accessibility and on field participation for people who want to get involved in the sport that they love. We have been trying to build our football program for some time and this will go a long way,” Tona said.

The project follows Pascoe Vale’s recent $240,000 upgrade of Hosken Reserve’s social area, which included the instalment of a new commercial kitchen and café.

“Over the last year we’ve had a few developments as part of our facilities strategy. I, along with everyone else at the club just want to emphasise our appreciation for the Moreland City Council and the Victorian State Government for the assistance they have provided,” Tona added.

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Community consultation opens for Ashburton’s Warner Reserve pavilion upgrade

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Image Credit: City of Boroondara

Community consultation has opened on the proposed redevelopment of the Warner Reserve pavilion in Ashburton. Early planning is underway to modernise the facility and improve amenities for local sporting clubs and community users.

The city of Boroondara has received $80,000 in Victorian Government funding to prepare concept designs. They will undertake community consultation as part of planning for the proposed upgrade.

While construction is currently scheduled for the 2032-33 financial year, the project could be brought forward if additional funding is secured.

The proposed redevelopment would see existing pavilion replaced with a modern facility better positioned to service the reserve. Plans include two new changerooms with toilets and showers, a multipurpose community space with a kitchen and canteen, a first aid room, umpire facilities, an externally accessible public toilet and a covered spectator viewing area.

The proposed new look pavilion at Warner Reserve. Image Credit: City of Boroondara

The concept also allows for the future addition of two extra changerooms, should participation levels continue to grow.

As part of the proposal, the existing playground would be relocated to improve visibility and open space within the reserve. Six trees identified for removal would also be replaced with new plantings elsewhere in Warner Reserve.

Residents, sporting clubs and reserve users are encouraged to provide feedback on the proposal before consultation closes on 15 September. Feedback will help refine the concept design before the project progresses to future planning and funding stages.

If delivered, the redevelopment is expected to improve facilities for local sporting clubs and community groups while providing more inclusive amenities to support growing participation across community sport.

SBS confirms exclusive Australian rights to 2030 FIFA World Cup

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Editorial credit: kovop

SBS has officially secured the exclusive Australian broadcast rights to the 2030 FIFA World Cup, meaning Australians will again be able to watch all 104 matches of the tournament live and free. The network will carry the tournament across television, video and radio and, as with 2026, all games will be streamed via SBS On Demand. 

The agreement was confirmed on 1 September, and will see the long-running partnership between the broadcaster and FIFA extend to 44 years. SBS first broadcast the World Cup 1986, when Argentina won the tournament in Mexico.

SBS Managing Director Jane Palfreyman said the World Cup remained central to the broadcaster’s role in Australian football, bringing Australians together across cultures, languages and communities.

The new deal follows a strong 2026 edition. More than 18 million Australians watched the coverage, while SBS also recorded more than 209 million hours of consumption across its World Cup content. Approximately 55 per cent of this consumption came via digital platforms. SBS offered full matches alongside shorter ‘mini match’ recaps through SBS On Demand.

First reporting that SBS and FIFA had extended their partnership emerged in July, although had remained unconfirmed until this point.

The latest announcement confirms that reporting. The earlier report also highlighted the importance of the deal for Australian football fans. SBS would retain a free-to-air pathway to every World Cup match. The deal also gives certainty around one of the biggest sporting properties in the world. This is particularly relevant as FIFA and its president Gianni Infantino come under increased pressure.

The 2022 edition saw FIFA increase its valuation over broadcast rights, with key markets such as China having a price tag of $349 million ($250 million USD) from the governing body. For Australian football, the significance goes beyond the tournament itself.

The World Cup remains one of the sport’s biggest drivers of mainstream attention. Keeping every match live and free gives Australian fans continued access to the competition without a subscription barrier.

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