Football Victoria (FV) today welcomed the State Government’s announcement of its $20 million World Game Facilities Fund.
Established in 2018, the World Game Facilities Fund is a state-wide Victorian Government investment program that funds the development of high-quality, accessible community football infrastructure.
Funding will assist local football clubs and organisations working with their Local Government Authority to upgrade existing or develop new facilities across metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria to support the sustainability and growth of football.
Grants of up to $500,000 (per Local Government Area) towards lighting, pitch redevelopments, synthetic pitches and female friendly change rooms will be available under the fund.
FV CEO Peter Filopoulos said the World Game Facilities Fund was an excellent chance for clubs across the state to submit their case for new or upgraded football facilities. He said it supported FV’s ongoing efforts to secure funding to address the critical need for new and improved infrastructure on behalf of the state’s 355 member clubs.
“Participation in the world game continues rise across Victoria, driven particularly by more girls and women wanting to play football,” Mr Filopoulos said.
“We know that the game will need up to 420 full-size equivalent pitches by 2026 just to keep up with population growth and consistently strong participation numbers. As many as 12,000 players missed out on playing football last year because clubs across Victoria didn’t have the facilities to cater for them.”
Mr Filopoulos said FV would communicate directly with clubs early in the new year to provide guidance on how councils, clubs and FV could work together to maximise opportunities under the fund.
To see the State Government’s Media Release on the fund, click here: https://ftbl.vc/2PG41KZ