Liberals pledge $1.69m for Launceston City FC upgrades

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Liberals pledge
Image Credit: Tasmanian Liberals

The Tasmanian Liberals have promised to provide $1.69 million to complete Launceston City FC’s precinct redevelopment if they are elected to government.

Founded in 1958, Launceston City is one of Tasmania’s largest sporting clubs, with around 750 registered players competing for the club across NPL Tasmania and the NTJSA.

Since 2021, Launceston City has been engaged in upgrading their home ground facilities at Prospect Park to account for the rapid growth the club has achieved, and to future proof the ground for the next generation.

The initial upgrades saw the construction of the Peter Mies Pavillion, named after a club legend, the pavilion added two modern changerooms to the club. However, rising costs prevented the development of another two changerooms and renovations to crucial club amenities such as parking, lighting, clubrooms and spectator facilities.

Liberal candidate for Lyons, Susie Bower pledged a Liberal government would fund the second stage of the project and help Launceston City build the facilities it required during a press conference at Prospect Park.

“It’s absolutely fantastic to be here today at Prospect Vale to announce that a Dutton-led Coalition Government will commit $1.69 million for stage two of the Launceston City Football Club masterplan,” she said.

“Now, this masterplan for stage two actually includes two more sets of change rooms, which we know are absolutely critical for this football club because they have over 615 juniors signed up and over 150 senior players.”

In a club statement, Launceston City FC expressed gratitude for Susie Bower’s visit and accompanying pledge.

“We sincerely thank Susie for this election commitment as well as her ongoing support. This funding will future proof our club for generations to come and help us achieve our strategic vision to have the modern and inclusive facilities and infrastructure our community deserve,” the statement read.

The 2025 federal election takes place this Saturday May 3, for information on how or where to vote, visit the Australian Electoral Commision website. 

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Football NSW announce price freeze for junior and youth players

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Image Credit: Football NSW

Football NSW has announced a fee freeze for junior and youth community players in 2027, continuing its pledge to keep the game accessible for everyone across the state. 

In addition, senior players aged 19 and above will see their registration fee increase by just $1.50. Both junior and youth player fees will remain the same at $54.43, whilst senior members will pay $107.50.

The fee freeze highlights Football NSW’s commitment to keeping the game financially convenient for both players and families. 

Football NSW CEO, John Tsatsimas, said via Football NSW, “Football is the game of the people, and we recognise the importance of keeping participation accessible for families across our state. By freezing our registration fees for junior and youth players in 2027, we are continuing to support the next generation of footballers and help ensure that cost is not an unnecessary barrier to participation.”

The decision comes following similar price freezes at Football Queensland and Northern NSW Football in 2025. 

Despite the governing bodies acting separately, their unity on maintaining affordability throughout the game is a welcome sign. Managing to keep fees at an fair rate for families is a key component in sustaining grassroots football across the country.

“We have worked hard to manage the pressures facing the game, particularly around insurance, while ensuring Football NSW can continue to deliver the services and support our clubs, associations and participants expect,” said Tsatsimas. 

Despite the cost of living crisis, it is important that the game remains accessible for everyone. Football NSW have identified that even during tougher financial times, they can keep it that way. 

Through diligent financial handling, especially with care surrounding insurance and inflation (more of which can be read here), they are prioritising the game long-term over a short financial gain.

This fee freeze will directly impact the senior players and the families of younger members, too. The decision makes football not only more accessible, but provides more opportunities for players to strive for the highest levels of the game. 

Football Victoria demands more Victorian Government support amid grassroots boom

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Marlborough Street Reserve. Credit Football Victoria

Football Victoria is targeting Victorian Government funding for Glen Eira FC, in order to improve the club’s facilities and accommodate a recent surge in participation.

The interest and demand in football across Melbourne is ever growing, and Glen Eira FC is one such example.

Located in Melbourne’s inner south-east, the club has more than 1,100 players with nearly 95% of them aged 18 or under. In the suburb of Bentleigh alone, football participation has increased 18% alongside female engagement growing 76% in recent years.

However, at Marlborough Street Reserve, the conditions of the pitch – specifically during winter – can curb accessibility. Wet weather, non-stop usage and limited capacity make it difficult to accommodate all club members. This results in restricted training and playing opportunities.

Lachlan Cole, Football Victoria’s Head of Government Relations & Facilities, said via Football Victoria: “The story at Glen Eira FC is one we are seeing right across Victoria and specifically in Metropolitan Melbourne. Participation is growing, particularly among juniors, women and girls, but the infrastructure needed to support that growth is buckling under the weight of demand.”

To tackle this, both Football Victoria and Glen Eira FC want to convert the existing pitch to a synthetic surface and provide improved lighting for the ground. This would create a more reliable environment for players and support the growing demand for football in that community.

Speaking to Football Victoria, Glen Eira FC President Odilia Wijburg said, “A new sporting precinct with a synthetic pitch would be a game changer, providing year-round access, supporting participation growth and creating a lasting community asset that will benefit local families for generations.”

These issues are not exclusive to just Victoria, but are instead seen nation-wide. Football NSW recently pledged over AUD 200,000 to three amateur clubs to help upgrade their facilities and support the local communities.

Despite the increased interest in the game, the lack of reliable infrastructure, especially in grassroots football, leaves not only local areas without proper facilities, but creates a complicated road for young players hoping to navigate to the top of the game. 

Without the support of the Victorian Government, grassroots football could suffer an underwhelming fate. If the game is not supported from the bottom, the top might not reap the rewards of the next generation. And if that happens, alongside local communities, both the domestic leagues and the international team may suffer.

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