Football, or as we often know it soccer, has been given a boost in the Bayswater community with the Andrews Government announcing funding to Knox Council to upgrade to facilities at Milpera Reserve in Wantirna.
Member for Bayswater, Jackson Taylor, today announced $125,000 towards brand new, competition grade lighting from the government’s 2019-20 The World Game Facilities Fund.
The project is one of thirteen to share in $4.9 million in grants from the fund to develop and redevelop grassroots football facilities across the state.
The world game is more popular than ever and with the recent announcement of Australia co-hosting the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, we’re expecting even more Victorians will sign up to play in record numbers.
That’s why the Victorian Government is getting on with supporting clubs like FC CityLife to modernise their facilities, so they can cater for growing demand, especially from women and girls.
The reserve is home to FC CityLife – the club has seen growing interest in recent years, with two new boys and girls junior teams, however the lack of appropriate lighting, for year-round playing, have stopped the club reaching its full potential.
The funding will enable FC CityLife to train, play and host matches year-round – particularly throughout the winter months, when days become shorter.
That means FC CityLife will continue to grow and utilise their much loved home ground more than ever before. It will also mean Templeton Cricket Club who use the reserve are set to benefit from this much needed upgrade. Another great local grassroots club.
Since 2018, the initiative has injected approximately $9.9 million to 38 game-changing infrastructure projects across Victoria, with a total project value of $25.5 million. And I am pleased to announce that the 2020-21 World Game Facilities Fund will open in November 2020.
This round of the fund ramps up that effort by providing grants of up to $500,000 to Councils and Alpine Resort Boards to improve facilities in their area including lighting, turf pitch redevelopments, synthetic pitches, and female friendly accessible change rooms.
The fund is part of a more than $915 million government investment in community sport and recreation infrastructure, since 2014.
Mr. Taylor acknowledged project partners Knox City Council for their commitment and financial contribution to delivering the new lights at Milpera Reserve.
Quotes attributable to Member for Bayswater Jackson Taylor
“I’ve had a long and positive relationship for many years with FC CityLife and Templeton Cricket Club – they’re both great clubs that continue to grow”
“We know football continues to boom in Victoria and I’m stoked that Milpera Reserve will be getting new lights to ensure that CityLife can reach its full potential.”
“I can’t wait to see this project ‘kick off’ and I know that our local teams will be really appreciative of the funds being committed by the Andrews Government for this really worthy project.”
