Football has been given a boost in Mill Park with the Victorian Government announcing funding to the City of Whittlesea to upgrade the facilities at Hillsview Recreation Reserve in South Morang.

Member for Mill Park, Lily D’ Ambrosio MP today announced $500.000 towards the redevelopment of the natural turf pitch at Hillsview Recreation Reserve from the government’s 2019-20 The World Game Facilities Fund.

The project is one of thirteen to share in $4.9 million in grants from the fund, to develop and redevelop grassroots football facilities across the state.

The world game is more popular than ever and with the recent announcement of Australia co-hosting the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, we’re expecting even more Victorians will sign up to play in record numbers.

That’s why the Victorian Government is getting on with supporting clubs like Bundoora United Football Club to modernise their facilities, so they can cater for growing demand, especially from women and girls.

The reserve is home to the Bundoora United FC – the club has seen growing interest in recent years, however the lack of facilities to support the growth of female and junior participation, have stopped the club reaching its potential.

The funding will enable the redevelopment of the natural turf pitch at Hillsview Recreation Reserve including the installation of new subsurface drainage, new underground irrigation system and a new warm season grass turf playing surface.

That means better facilities to meet the current and future demands of the Bundoora United Football Club which is the only club in South Morang with 440 participants.

Since 2018, the initiative has injected approximately $9.9 million to 38 game-changing infrastructure projects across Victoria, with a total project value of $25.5 million.  And I am pleased to announce that the 2020-21 World Game Facilities Fund will open in November 2020.

This round of the fund ramps up that effort by providing grants of up to $500,000 to Councils and Alpine Resort Boards to improve facilities in their area including lighting, turf pitch redevelopments, synthetic pitches, and female friendly accessible change rooms.

The fund is part of a more than $915 million government investment in community sport and recreation infrastructure, since 2014.

Lily D’Ambrosio MP acknowledged project partners City of Whittlesea for their commitment and financial contribution to delivering the redevelopment of the natural turf pitch at Hillsview Recreation Reserve.

Quotes attributable to Member for Mill Park, Lily D’ Ambrosio

“Football is booming in Victoria and we’re expecting growing numbers of boys and girls, men and women to sign up to play at local clubs, however many clubs are struggling with inadequate facilities.”

“The Victorian Government’s World Game Facilities Fund is getting it done for the BUFC, providing more opportunities for passionate football fans to play the sport they love.”

“We’re working hard to encourage and enable all Victorians to embrace a more active and healthy lifestyle.”