Club’s centenary wish in doubt amid planning delays

NORTH Shore Football Club says time is running out for its long-term plan of unveiling new facilities in time for the club’s centenary as it continues to fall behind rivals in funding allocations.

A working group formed to progress a masterplan concept dating back to 2012 have targeted the club’s 100-year anniversary in 2027 as the ideal time to mark a new modern era.

But the project’s absence from City of Greater Geelong budget plans to mid-2027 have cast doubt on the ambition.

North Shore has been planning for more than a decade to revamp its clubrooms and football and netball changing facilities in plans it has costed at around $4.2 million.

The plans include a strong focus on female sport, including purpose-built netball facilities and separate changerooms for women and girls football teams.

During city budget hearings last month, working group member Paul Brady implored councillors to consider including the rebuild, which already has $2 million in state government funding, in upcoming capital works programs.

He said the city’s refusal meant the club risked further disadvantage compared to rival clubs because of continued delays.

“You’ve got other aspects such as women’s football and women’s cricket coming to the fore now. We’re not geared up for it, so we’re left behind.

“The fact is that every other club’s had a fair go and we’ve had nothing.”

Club vice-president Shane Hase said during hearings the 96-year-old institution’s future was at risk without investment.

“[The club’s] facility is tired, it’s old, it’s outdated. It’s unwelcoming in its structure, in its layout, in its appearance.

“We will continue as volunteers to squeeze as much life out of the facility as we can because that’s what passionate volunteers do. We won’t stop.

“However, without investment, the club may eventually disappear.”

The club’s netball program has suffered in recent years without purpose-built facilities and is fielding just one team in the 2023 season, playing D Grade.

Junior sport participation has also slumped in northern suburbs in recent years, leading North Shore and Corio to merge its underage football programs into the Northern Stars.

Advocates have used Norlane’s historic economic disadvantage as part of its pitch to highlight the importance of community facilities like sports clubs.

North Shore’s vision is also for a wider community hub that can host recreational use from groups such as the neighouring Norlane Community Centre and schools.

Lara MP Ella George announced $2 million for the club’s female sport facilities in the state budget earlier this year in one of her first major funding commitments since taking office at the 2022 election.