The Victorian State Government today hosted a celebration at the Gippsland Sports and Entertainment Park (GSEP) in Morwell as the host venue of the 2027 Victorian Country Championships nears completion.
In attendance was The Honorable Harriet Shing, State Government representatives, Mayor Sharon Gibson, Councilors, members of the wider project team and members of the local football community.
Following a community consultation, construction on the redevelopment of GSEP began in July last year. 16-months later, GSEP is being transformed into a genuine regional sports and events park, significantly increasing its capacity to accommodate local sport, major competitions, community activities and events.
There are five playing surfaces across the precinct – three natural turf pitches and two synthetic surfaces – providing more flexibility for training, competition and simultaneous use.
The new Don Di Fabrizio Pavilion is the centrepiece of the redevelopment – a high-quality regional facility designed for both elite sport and broader community and entertainment use.
The pavilion provides flexible player change facilities, officials’ facilities, a strength and conditioning gym, administration areas and substantial storage, allowing different teams and users to operate concurrently.
The Don Di Fabrizio Pavillion will also include 1,300 spectator seats, a 200-person function space, commercial kitchen, canteen facilities and a dedicated broadcast and media facility.
Football Victoria Head of Government Relations & Strategy Lachlan Cole says the redeveloped GSEP is truly the crown jewel of regional football facilities in Victoria.
"The site here at the Gippsland Sports and Entertainment Park is a special place for the sport in Victoria.
“The upgraded Gippsland Sports & Entertainment Park will ensure that local clubs like Falcons 2000, Gippsland United FC and the wider Latrobe Valley football community have the facilities they deserve to grow and thrive, while strengthens Gippsland’s capacity to host regional tournaments and showcase events.
“We thank Minister Shing, Minister Spence, and the Carroll Labor Government for their continued investment in football and regional sport infrastructure.
"The vision and support of Sport and Recreation Victoria, Development Victoria, and Latrobe City Council has been instrumental in getting this project off the ground.”
The GSEP site holds a rich place in Victorian football history, from the proud legacy of the former Morwell Falcons SC on the national stage in the NSL, to the contributions of the late Don Di Fabrizio OAM - a prominent and valued member of the community who was president of the club from 1969 to 1994 and former Commissioner for the Australian Soccer Federation.
The redeveloped precinct will continue to serve as a hub for the Latrobe Valley Soccer League, the Gippsland Referees Branch, and future regional football talent through both community football and FV pathways and events.