Victorian government to invest $22 million into state football facilities

This week, Football Victoria announced that the state government will be investing nearly $22 million into footballing facilities across the state.

With junior participation rates at an all time high in Australian soccer, now appears to the perfect time to maximise resources in the industry.

Here is the media release in full:

Football Victoria welcomes the Victorian Government’s 2019 Budget commitment of $21.6 million for community football facilities across the state.

The announcement includes $20 million for The World Game Fund over the forward estimates, and, coupled with other State Government funding initiatives and recent local government contributions, secures more than $118 million for football facilities across Victoria.

Football Victoria CEO Peter Filopoulos said grassroots facilities funding was vital for enabling the future of many local clubs struggling to meet booming participation demands.

“The 2019 Victorian Government Budget commitment is great news for our game and a testament to our approach of working hand-in-hand with government for many months.

“But more needs to be done. When you consider population growth and the ongoing rise in participation rates, football will need the equivalent of another 420 full size pitches by 2026”, he said.

Mr Filopoulos said that in addition to supporting local facilities, Football Victoria was also seeking to work with the State and Federal Government to secure funding towards a state-of-the-art facility for the Westfield Matildas, and a home for football in Victoria.

Football Victoria has received expressions of interest from various local government authorities seeking to host the proposed development including the cities of Brimbank, Casey, Darebin, Maribyrnong, Maroondah, and Greater Shepparton. La Trobe University has also made a formal submission as part of redevelopment plans at its Bundoora campus

“While we’ve secured $200,000 in State Government funding towards a feasibility study for a Home of Football and $15 million from the Federal Government, we know more will be required to get this designed and delivered.

“Just as we’ve worked with the Andrews Government to ensure the game has the support it needs at the grassroots, we’re reaching out to government to ensure our Matildas – Australia’s favourite national sport team – can have their home in the sporting capital of the world”, Mr Filopoulos said.

For more information on Football Victoria’s Local Facilities strategy and the Home of Football campaign, please visit https://www.footballvictoria.com.au/.

*ENDS*

This is sure to be a worthwhile investment, one that will significantly improve the sport of soccer in Victoria and down the line, for all of Australia.

 

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Football Victoria Agrees Deal with Adriatic Furniture until 2027

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Image credit: Football Victoria

Football Victoria (FV) has confirmed the collaboration with Adriatic Furniture marking the beginning of an exciting partnership alongside a business with by long-standing roots in the Melbourne community. 

Victorian Links

As family-owned furniture store since 1974 in several locations across Victoria, Adriatic represents a perfect fit for Football Victoria as they look to build support for the upcoming season and beyond.

Adriatic Furniture Associate Managing Director, Franco Michele has expressed his excitement for the deal, which is currently set to last until the end of 2027.

“It felt like a natural way to continue supporting a community we care deeply about and to keep building meaningful relationships through football,” he said via press release. 

“Adriatic Furniture is a strong supporter of Victorian football and we’re keen to see how this relationship blossoms.”

Supporting Local Businesses

Like all successful partnership between football organisations and local businesses, support is a two-way street. The collaboration will not only be a key source of local support for Football Victoria, but a way through which Adriatic Furniture can continue growing in the Victorian community. 

Adriatic’s support is further solidified by their role as a Silver Partner of the FV Business League. The group allows member companies to expand their network, promote their brand and inspire new connections across football and business. 

The benefits from such a partnership for Adriatic are already evident, with the HoTM function room being renamed as the Adriatic Lounge. The outdoor concourse in the grandstand has also been rebranded as The Terrace by Adriatic Furniture. The changes are a positive indicator that Football Victoria is committed to backing Victorian businesses, becoming a bridge between the football industry and the local community. 

Cementing Support

In a busy week for Football Victoria, the confirmation of a deal with Adriatic comes soon after it was announced that global athletic brands, New Balance and Belgravia Apparel, would also team up with the organisation on a four-year deal.  

Establishing solid partnerships will be crucial for Football Victoria in the upcoming season. As the organisation looks to begin a new era under a unified structure, partnerships with local businesses like Adriatic only emphasise their intention to unite communities through a shared passion for football.

Zaparas Lawyers Extends Deal with Melbourne Victory

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Image credit: Zaparas Lawyers

Zaparas Lawyers extended its long-standing deal with Melbourne Victory, a club synonymous with excellence, ambition and strong community values within Australian football.

Zaparas Lawyers is a Victorian-based law firm with over 40 years of experience specialising in personal injury and compensation law. The firm was founded in 1981 by Peter and Lia Zaparas and has grown from a family business into a larger team of legal professionals dedicated to helping people recover after injuries and get their lives back on track.

They focus on areas such as WorkCover, TAC (road accident) claims, superannuation and insurance matters, public liability and occupational disease claims including asbestos, silicosis and hearing loss. The firm combines legal expertise with a compassionate approach, taking time to understand each client’s story to provide tailored support and a smooth, stress-reduced legal process.

At its core, Zaparas Lawyers believes in the importance of supporting the community both on and off the field. The firm’s involvement across all levels of the game reflects its broader commitment to giving back and fostering long-term growth within the communities it serves. From grassroots football through to the professional stage, Zaparas Lawyers is dedicated to supporting every step of the football journey.

Zaparas Lawyers Partner, Yianni Zaparas said the continued partnership reflects the firm’s strong commitment to both elite sport and grassroots development, with a focus on supporting individuals and programs that create lasting impact within the community.

“We’re very proud to be supporting Melbourne Victory, Besart Berisha, and the academy and to continue our support for sport and the community,” he said via official media post.

Melbourne Victory Managing Director, Caroline Carnegie highlighted the importance of the ongoing partnership and its expanded focus on youth development, acknowledging the long-standing support Zaparas Lawyers has shown to both the club and the wider football community.

“At Melbourne Victory, we are incredibly excited to continue our partnership with Zaparas Lawyers. They’ve been long time supporters of both the club and football in general, but to have them this year on board supporting our academy teams is fantastic,” she added via official media post.

“We know they’re huge in the community but to really support and sponsor the next generation of Melbourne Victory and A-League players is amazing for us and we couldn’t be more grateful.”

This agreement with Melbourne Victory represents more than a sponsorship, it is a shared vision built on development, opportunity and long-term impact. Zaparas Lawyers is proud to stand alongside the club and its Academy as they continue to shape the future of Australian football and inspire the next generation.

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