The Victorian Government will support football players and volunteers at clubs from all levels across the state, by supplying grants to build female friendly change rooms, provide lighting at grounds and upgrade pitches.
It comes in the latest round of the $20 million World Game Facilities Fund which provides grants of up to $500,000 to councils and alpine resort boards that delivers shovel-ready projects that will be of benefit to soccer players and volunteers who are part of clubs.
The latest 2020-21 round will prioritise investments for any under-represented groups such as women and girls and disadvantaged Victorian communities – improving the support for these areas.
During the 2019-20 round, it included $400,000 towards a new pavilion at Seth Raistrick Recreation Reserve in Campbellfield, home of the Hume Spears Sports Club, as well as $125,000 going towards new lighting at Milpera Reserve in Wantirna, the home of FC Citylife.
Since 2018, the World Game Facilities Fund has invested widespread funding, with $9.4 million in 37 game-changing infrastructure projects with a total completion value of $25.5 million.
There are more than 456,000 participants across Victoria and this funding will go towards securing a healthy future for the sport, particularly as Australia is set to co-host the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023, including games at Melbourne’s AAMI Stadium.
The initiative is part of the Victorian Government’s commitment to sport and active recreation, gender equality, active lifestyles and stimulating local economies through job creation to make a real difference to local communities.
The Government has invested more than $1 billion in community sport and recreation infrastructure since 2014.
For more information on the World Game Facilities Fund, you can find it here.