On Monday night, the Hobsons Bay football community came together with Football Victoria (FV) and local government to ensure clubs are supported to meet the growing demand in the region.
Over the past four years, FV has worked closely with the Hon. Melissa Horne MP to support community clubs in accommodating the needs of their members and the wider community. This collaboration has been crucial in addressing the 15% rise in participation.
The clubs collaborated to support each other, addressing challenges such as lack of amenities, space, and usage.
As part of the 2024/25 Budget, Melissa Horne MP secured State Government funding of $500,000 for sealed road works at Paisley Park to support asthmatic participants and $200,000 for Newport Storm FC for fencing and netting to provide a safe space for their junior program.
Melissa Horne MP emphasised the importance of supporting clubs to manage the increasing demand: "Growth of the world’s game in our community is only going to continue, and we need to make sure our clubs are supported to meet this demand."
FV Club Changer - Club Development Program Manager, Josephine La Pila, said the football strategy will play a "pivotal role" in local council sports infrastructure planning and their investment in football.
"Our aim is to present a business case to Hobsons Bay City Council for adopting a football strategy to cater for the growth, maximise space, and provide smart solutions in their planning design," she said. "We hope to find solutions such as synthetic fields, lighting, upgraded lux lighting, and additional changerooms and amenities."
The Club Changer Club Development Program (1 star) aims to assist Clubs in creating opportunities for women and girls and to encourage informal programs that provide a space for the community to participate in football in a fun, safe, and welcoming environment.
Learn more about the Club Changer Program!