Football Victoria welcomes the Victorian Government鈥檚 2019 Budget commitment of $21.6 million for community football facilities across the state.
The announcement includes $20 million for The World Game Fund over the forward estimates, and, coupled with other State Government funding initiatives and recent local government contributions, secures more than $118 million for football facilities across Victoria.
Football Victoria CEO Peter Filopoulos said grassroots facilities funding was vital for enabling the future of many local clubs struggling to meet booming participation demands.
鈥淭he 2019 Victorian Government Budget commitment is great news for our game and a testament to our approach of working hand-in-hand with government for many months.
鈥淏ut more needs to be done. When you consider population growth and the ongoing rise in participation rates, football will need the equivalent of another 420 full size pitches by 2026鈥, he said.
Mr Filopoulos said that in addition to supporting local facilities, Football Victoria was also seeking to work with the State and Federal Government to secure funding towards a state-of-the-art facility for the Westfield Matildas, and a home for football in Victoria.
Football Victoria has received expressions of interest from various local government authorities seeking to host the proposed development including the cities of Brimbank, Casey, Darebin, Maribyrnong, Maroondah, and Greater Shepparton. La Trobe University has also made a formal submission as part of redevelopment plans at its Bundoora campus
鈥淲hile we鈥檝e secured $200,000 in State Government funding towards a feasibility study for a Home of Football and $15 million from the Federal Government, we know more will be required to get this designed and delivered.
鈥淛ust as we鈥檝e worked with the Andrews Government to ensure the game has the support it needs at the grassroots, we鈥檙e reaching out to government to ensure our Matildas 鈥 Australia鈥檚 favourite national sport team 鈥 can have their home in the sporting capital of the world鈥, Mr Filopoulos said.
For more information on Football Victoria鈥檚 Local Facilities strategy and the Home of Football campaign, please visit .
