Kicking goals for daylesford’s soccer teams

Daylesford’s aspiring soccer stars have been given a boost, thanks to funding from the Andrews Government.

Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas, today announced that works have started on the pavilion at Oval 2 at Victoria Park to include female friendly facilities, made possible thanks to $100,000 of funding through the government’s Community Sports Infrastructure Fund – Female Friendly Facilities.

The park is currently used by the Daylesford and Hepburn United Soccer Club, and junior footy players from the Daylesford Football Netball Club.

More than 110 players use the pavilion and change rooms, including 45 female footballers, however its facilities are not up to modern standards and not appropriate for women and girls.

The modernised pavilion will feature the Shire’s first soccer specific facility. With the existing change rooms upgraded and amenities to be female friendly and accessible to all. In addition, a new first aid room, office and additional storage space will be constructed.

This is on top of the $4 million already invested in sporting infrastructure across the region by the Andrews Labor Government.

The Andrews Government is committed to promoting sports and active recreation, and encouraging all Victorians to get out there and get active.

Across Victoria we’ve already invested $420 million in community sport and recreation facilities, and that’s why we’re investing almost half a billion dollars in our 2018/19 Budget to ensure sport and active recreation goes from strength to strength. This budget will see an allocation of $100 million to improve facilities and access for women and girls.

Ms Thomas acknowledged the support and financial contributions of Hepburn Shire Council and the Daylesford and Hepburn United Soccer Club to deliver the project.

Quotes attributable to Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas
"Female participation in sport is on the rise and we need to ensure we have the facilities required to cater for these growing numbers."

"The Andrews Labor Government’s Female Friendly Facilities fund is building and upgrading women’s change rooms across the state. Women and girls should never have to get changed in the back of a car or in a public toilet block to participate in sport."