NORTH Shore has emerged as one of the big winners from the City of Greater Geelong’s final budget for 2025-26.<\/p>\n
The Seagulls will receive funding of $95,000 for safety nets behind the goals at both ends of the ground.<\/p>\n
Barwon Heads Football Netball Club has also been allocated funding of $20,000.<\/p>\n
North Shore president Maryian Szponar was thrilled it had finally been confirmed.<\/p>\n
“It’s fantastic. We had it granted probably two years ago, my understanding was,” he said.<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n
He said the nets’ importance went beyond protecting cars and being able to retrieve balls.<\/p>\n
“We’re probably one of the only clubs that haven’t got them at the moment,” Szponar said.<\/p>\n
“We’re getting a lot of clubs that want to play and train at North Shore due to [us] not having a turf wicket.<\/p>\n
“And what’s happening is that they’re not taking up the offer due to the fact the nets aren’t there.<\/p>\n
“The AFL women want to play there, the [Geelong] Falcons want to play there.<\/p>\n
“With the infrastructure of the nets not being there, we’re losing that part of getting people to have a look at the ground.”<\/p>\n
He said the club was in talks with the Falcons about hosting a game on August 3.<\/p>\n
“We missed out on July 12 due to the fact that [there were] no nets and no infrastructure.<\/p>\n
“So the more infrastructure we get, the more seen we’re going to be.”<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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 […]<\/p>\n