Delivering for country football and netball clubs

More Victorians will be enjoying upgraded sport facilities thanks to the Andrews Labor Government’s record investment in country football and netball clubs.



Hepburn Recreation Reserve, home to Hepburn Football Netball Club, is one of 17 projects that is receiving funding in the latest round of Country Football and Netball Program grants.



Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas today confirmed that the $100,000 grant will deliver a unisex football change facility, including additional unisex umpire facilities and a duty room suitable for female officials at Hepburn Recreation Reserve.



The Labor Government launched the Country Football and Netball Program in 2005, and since then the Program has supported more than 500 projects valued at over $100 million.



The program is a partnership with the AFL, AFL Victoria and Netball Victoria and recognises that everybody deserves access to quality facilities, no matter where they live.



The program backs clubs that often serve as the heartbeat of their country and outer-metropolitan communities, allowing them to replace and upgrades facilities so they can grow their sport and best meet the needs of local people.



Grants from the latest round support upgrades including ground resurfacing, irrigation, lighting and new netball courts and pavilions.



Support for local clubs is part of the Government’s commitment to community sport and active recreation, gender equality, and encouraging all Victorians to get out there and get active.



Across Victoria, the Government has invested more than $850 million in community sport and recreation facilities since 2014.



Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas also acknowledged Hepburn Shire Council, Hepburn Football Netball Club and Sport and Recreation Victoria for their contribution to $574,000 project.



This investment follows an upgrade earlier this year to Hepburn Recreation Reserve’s netball facilities through the Andrews Labor Government’s Female Friendly Facilities fund. This upgrade saw construction of new female friendly change rooms, umpire amenities, accessible toilets, baby change facilities, storage and first aid areas.



Quotes attributable to Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas
"Footy and netball clubs are the heart and soul of country towns like Hepburn, and we’re proud to help out with funding for this important project."

"We’re seeing a growing number of girls and women wanting to play football, and now the Andrews Labor Government is ensuring clubs like the Hepburn Burras have the facilities to match this growing demand."