- Minister for Jobs, Innovation and Trade
Local councils will be able to expand and renovate football facilities to help meet growing demand, thanks to a major funding boost from the Andrews Labor Government.
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Martin Pakula today announced applications had opened for the World Game Facilities Fund.
With more than 350,000 participants statewide, the world game is booming and women and girls are signing up in record numbers.
With the growing participation numbers, many of our soccer clubs face challenges accommodating new players.
That’s why the Labor Government has kicked in an additional $20 million over four years to extend the popular World Game Facilities Fund.
Since 2018, the initiative has injected $5 million to enable 25 game-changing infrastructure projects across Victoria, with a total project value of almost $15 million.
The next phase ramps up that effort by providing grants of up to $500,000 to councils to improve facilities including sports lighting, pitch redevelopments, synthetic surfaces and female friendly change rooms.
The World Game Facilities Fund is part of the Government’s commitment to gender equality, increasing diversity and inclusion in football, and encouraging more Victorians to enjoy the benefits of physical activity.
The World Game Facilities Fund is one of a number of sports infrastructure programs that are currently available. Others include the Local Sports Infrastructure Fund and the Community Cricket Program.
Across Victoria, the Government has invested more than $850 million in community sport and active recreation infrastructure since 2014.
For further information on the World Game Facilities Fund, go to sport.vic.gov.au/grants-and-funding.
As noted by Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Martin Pakula
“Soccer has never been more popular at the local level with numbers bolstered in particular by a sharp growth in participation amongst women and girls.”
“It’s important that clubs have the facilities to match their ambitions to bring the game to a wider audience, and that’s where the World Game Facilities Fund can really make a difference.”
“From new lights and pitches to female friendly change rooms, these projects can be game-changers.”
