Game on at soccer club

THE latest upgrades at Golden Plains Soccer Club’s home grounds in Bannockburn were officially opened last Sunday.

Female-friendly and referee change rooms, a first aid area, storage space, pitch lighting and fencing have been added to the facility, funded by a $832,000 Federal community grant, and just under $465,000 from the State’s 2019-20 World Game Facilities Fund.

Club president Anthony Vanjek thanked all tiers of government for supporting the Eagles to realise their goals.

“The new lights will relieve stress on pitch one, and the addition of the new change rooms will provide a wonderful environment for our female players to participate in sport, further enhancing the health and wellbeing of them all,” he said.

“These facilities have allowed us to introduce Friday night women’s games this season, while we continue to maintain our Friday night training sessions and other programs for our junior teams.

“Not only the club, but the wider community, have a lot more open space… and a welcoming, safe, and inclusive environment for all to enjoy.”

Member for Geelong, Christine Couzens, congratulated club volunteers for their advocacy work, and said the aim of the World Game Facilities Fund is to ensure every Victoria athlete has access to the changing spaces they “deserve.”

“Sporting clubs play an absolutely critical role in supporting the community, and providing much-needed activity… I can’t express how important it is for them to get the facilities they need,” she said.

“To have these facilities here, instead of young women getting changed in their cars is really, really important.”

Victorian Senator, Sarah Henderson, said sport is the “lifeblood” of regional communities.

“Here in Golden Plains Shire, we are raising some of the best young players of the world game,” she said.

“These new facilities will support current and future participation in junior and senior soccer in the growing south of Golden Plains Shire and put this precinct on the map for travelling teams.”

Golden Plains Shire mayor Cr Gavin Gamble said soccer is booming across the municipality, and female participation is greater than ever.

“The completion of this upgrade will support greater use of the facility by the Eagles and other user groups and increase participation in sport and active recreation in Golden Plains Shire,” he said.

“This upgrade completes stage two of the Bannockburn Recreation Precinct master plan, following the construction of the Bannockburn Soccer Pavilion in 2017, and the second pitch in 2019.

“It provides a purpose-built home for the Golden Plains Soccer Club as it continues to grow with a strong membership of male and female, senior and junior players from many towns in the Shire.”

The municipality has been lobbying for funding throughout the Federal election campaign to complete the Bannockburn Recreation Precinct, and will do the same during the State election period later this year.

Designs for the next stage include another pavilion, a synthetic multi-purpose sports surface for football, cricket, soccer, athletics, and hockey, cricket nets, landscaping, and a car park.

Member for Corangamite Libby Coker, currently campaigning for re-election this weekend, also attended the opening of the upgrades, and said the facility is “essential” for the expanding district.

“It’s a great way for the community to come together, and for young kids to exercise and develop some new skills on weekends,” she said.

“I’m thrilled that it’s been a bi-partisan approach to this community asset, and I’m looking forward to working with the Bannockburn community and council on the master plan for the precinct, to bring it to fruition.”