Football Victoria (FV) delivered a football spectacle to Queen’s Hall at Victoria’s State Parliament on Wednesday, as part of a series of events to formally launch the Level The Playing Field campaign.
The campaign aims to highlight the widening gap between surging demand for football; and a shortfall in both the number and standard of football facilities across the state.
Participation in football is booming, with numbers increasing 60% since 2022, including 90% growth in MiniRoos and 50% in Juniors.
However, with just one pitch for every 7,000 people (well below the recommended industry average of one pitch per 5,000) and only 27% of participants believing local football facilities are adequate to meet the current demand for the game, urgent investment is needed.
The event brought together Victorian Members of Parliament, Football Victoria, Football Australia, A-League Club Officials, Community club representatives and special guests to discuss the current state of football facilities in Victoria and work collaboratively on solutions to support communities.
An opening address was delivered by Parliamentary Friends of Football co-founders Anthony Cianflone MP and John Pesutto, Member for Hawthorn, welcomed everyone in the room and shared their personal experiences with the power of football to build and shape communities.
Cianflone reflected on the immense footprint football has in Victoria.
“There is no other game that can unite the world and communities like football.
“Make no mistake about it, football truly is one of the biggest participated sports in Australia and in Victoria.
“That’s why the Victorian Labor government has been investing in the game... but of course we know there is more to do and that is why we are here today – to celebrate the game and to support Football Victoria.”
Pesutto urged action from the attendees on the day.
“When we set up the Parliamentary Friends of Football, we didn’t just want it to be a group of people coming together and sharing in each other's company.
“We want to be a vehicle for helping to unlock the capacity so that you have the facilities for all the people who want to share in this great game.”
The Hon Enver Erdogan MP then took the stage and reflected on his positive experiences playing the sport in his youth and the pivotal role sport plays in our communities.
FV Chair Dr Angela Williams and FV CEO Dan Birrell elaborated on the significant demand for football and our key priorities to ensure we continue to support all participants and provide safe, welcoming spaces.
The event moved into two separate Q&A sessions, beginning with a conversation with former Socceroo and current Gisborne SC Club President, Carl Valeri; and Socceroo and Melbourne City FC star Andrew Nabbout.
The second Q&A welcomed Keilor Eagles Senol NPLW Assistant Coach, Maddison Kamolins; and up-and-coming football talent Kara Crnac for a conversation about the importance of facilities that welcome all players and coaches.
The activation, which continues through until Thursday and includes a celebration of female football as part of an exciting International Women’s Day event, aims to inform key stakeholders within government of the current facilities crisis the sport faces, and the community engagement, social and health benefits that quality facilities provide.
It also gave representatives from metropolitan and regional clubs from across the state the opportunity speak directly to their local members.
The event follows the launch of the Level the Playing Field Government Petition, which gives the Victorian football community an opportunity to have its voice heard in parliament.
We encourage all Victorians to add their name to the petition, a tangible way you can share your voice and help football’s facilities to meet the insatiable demand.