Seagulls to look for more opportunities with new nets

NORTH Shore has emerged as one of the big winners from the City of Greater Geelong’s final budget for 2025-26.

The Seagulls will receive funding of $95,000 for safety nets behind the goals at both ends of the ground.

Barwon Heads Football Netball Club has also been allocated funding of $20,000.

North Shore president Maryian Szponar was thrilled it had finally been confirmed.

“It’s fantastic. We had it granted probably two years ago, my understanding was,” he said.

“And it was in the last budget and then it got taken out for one reason or another and then we canvassed [councillor] Anthony Aitken and then it got put back in the budget for getting the nets up.”

He said the nets’ importance went beyond protecting cars and being able to retrieve balls.

“We’re probably one of the only clubs that haven’t got them at the moment,” Szponar said.

“We’re getting a lot of clubs that want to play and train at North Shore due to [us] not having a turf wicket.

“And what’s happening is that they’re not taking up the offer due to the fact the nets aren’t there.

“The AFL women want to play there, the [Geelong] Falcons want to play there.

“With the infrastructure of the nets not being there, we’re losing that part of getting people to have a look at the ground.”

He said the club was in talks with the Falcons about hosting a game on August 3.

“We missed out on July 12 due to the fact that [there were] no nets and no infrastructure.

“So the more infrastructure we get, the more seen we’re going to be.”

The funding comes after a $4 million election promise from re-elected Corio Labor federal member Richard Marles for Windsor Park upgrades, as the Seagulls try to make themselves a central hub for the region.

“We’re trying to make it a community base with Falcons and netball and umpires et cetera to try to get everyone in one place, like it’s at Kardinia Park, because the [community]-based clubs at Kardinia Park are getting pushed out due to Geelong footy club future structures,” Mr Szponar said.