By Ewen McRae
Brimbank is in desperate need of more soccer pitches, according to a new report.
Football Federation Victoria’s State Football Facilities strategy to 2026, released last week, outlines the state’s areas most in need of additional facilities as the sport grows.
On projected growth levels, the report says, Brimbank could need an additional 19 pitches by 2026 to keep up with demand. Greater Geelong is the only local government area the report says requires more pitches (21).
According to the report, there will be about 3400 registered players in Brimbank in 2026 if the sport continues to grow at the current level of 1.1 per cent, meaning an additional 12 pitches would be required.
But the federation said participation levels could increase by as much as five per cent in the next eight years, meaning there could be about 5500 players and a need for 19 additional pitches.
Brimbank mayor Margaret Giudice said that while the council was investing heavily in new facilities, more needed to be done.
“While we’ve been investing heavily, a significant amount more is needed to make sure all existing facilities are suitable for use, are being used to their full potential and meet the needs of all user groups,” Cr Giudice
said.
“We’re currently developing a second sports ground at Bon Thomas Reserve in Deer Park, which will be ready for use in the 2019 winter season.
“The additional sports ground, with new flood lighting, will open up the space for year round use for men’s, women’s and junior
sport. We are also in the process of planning for new sports grounds and associated facilities at Green Gully Reserve in Keilor Downs.”
Both the Football Federation Victoria report and the council’s Sports Facility Development Plan identify a need for a regional multi-sport facility at Sydenham Park.
In the short term, the council said it would complete five sports lighting upgrades at soccer reserves in 2018-19 and a further three in 2019-20 to increase capacity at those venues.
