Football Victoria (FV) is proud to unveil the FV Facilities Strategy 2025-2035 - a bold plan to ensure football’s infrastructure keeps pace with the game’s extraordinary growth.
Football has long proven itself to be a powerful social connector. Across Victoria, local clubs are the beating heart of their neighbourhoods, where people from all cultures and backgrounds come together with a shared passion.
Our game offers a safe and inclusive space where everyone is welcome, playing a crucial role in improving physical health, supporting mental wellbeing and providing positive pathways for young people. And participation is booming, with numbers increasing 43% since 2022, including 65% growth in MiniRoos and 39% in Juniors.
But with just one pitch for every 7,000 people (well below the recommended industry average of one pitch per 5,000), urgent investment is needed.
The new Strategic Plan sets out clear priorities for Victorian football:
1. Local Infrastructure Upgrades
FV will focus on delivering high-priority grassroots projects in three key areas:
- Lighting: 55 priority projects to lift 75% of competition pitches to 100+ Lux level by 2035.
- Pitches: 70 priority projects to achieve 75% of pitches rated good/excellent by 2035.
- Amenities: 80 priority projects to ensure 85% of player change rooms are gender accessible by 2035.
2. Regional Football Hubs
To relieve pressure on overused pitches and unlock growth, FV will advocate for the delivery of strategically located Football Hubs across Victoria. These hubs will provide equitable access, pathway opportunities and modern central venues for grassroots through to elite football.
Proposed hub locations include Geelong, Moonee Valley, Beveridge, Warrnambool, Mildura, Baranduda, Gippsland and Melbourne’s South East.
3. Home of the Matildas Expansion
The next stage of development at La Trobe University will enhance inclusivity, capacity and functionality through the delivery of new changerooms, seating and amenities. Planning for Stage 3 involves a detailed investigation into the provision of additional playing surfaces within the broader precinct as demand continues to soar.
4. Return of the World Game Facilities Fund
FV will advocate and work behind the scenes with the Victorian Government to support the reinstatement of the World Game Facilities Fund with a renewed commitment of $20–$30 million over four years.
To support and share our efforts under the new Facilities Strategy, FV is excited to announce the 'Level the Playing Field' campaign.
'Level the Playing Field' aims to unite the voices of the football community in Victoria to strengthen our efforts to secure Federal Government, State Government and Council funding for urgent football facility upgrades in the lead-up to the 2026 Victorian State Election.
The FV Facilities Strategy was officially launched at the recent Parliamentary Friends of Football event, which brings together MPs from all parties to champion the game and drive investment. Ministers and MPs alike voiced strong support, acknowledging football’s vital role in connecting communities.
FV Chair, Dr Angela Williams, emphasised the importance of the new Strategy and the support from the Parliamentary Friends of Football group.
“Football Victoria's vision is to have equitable football for all, anywhere, anytime and in anyway.
“With an ever-growing population, we can’t afford to have football facilities across our state fall further behind, meaning more people are turned away from our beautiful game.
“At the heart of this work is a commitment to creating environments where players of all ages, genders and backgrounds can thrive.”
FV Head of Government Relations and Strategy, Lachlan Cole, is incredibly proud of the work done to create the new Facilities Strategy and looks forward to bringing it to life.
“The next decade will be critical in ensuring that the infrastructure supporting our game keeps pace with its growing demand.
“This Strategy is the most comprehensive deep dive into Victorian football facilities in our history and provides a clear and evidence-based roadmap to guide that investment, reflecting extensive engagement with our clubs, councils, government partners and broader football community.”