Mt Moriac funds flow

$1.4m boost for sports clubs

CLUBS at the Mount Moriac Sporting Reserve are celebrating after the Surf Coast Shire and State Government committed more than $1.4 million towards upgrades.

The community facility plays host to clubs from a variety of sporting codes including the Barwon Valley Pony Club, Modewarre Football Netball Club and the Modewarre Cricket Club.

Sports Minister John Eren has announced a $650,000 commitment from the State Government towards the project, to go towards various upgrades across the facilities.

The Barwon Valley Pony Club will see its pavilion redeveloped to feature femalefriendly and accessible change rooms with greater storage space, while the Modewarre Football Netball Club will benefit from upgraded lighting for all three netball courts and the football oval. Work on drainage for the second oval will also improve usability.

The state funding joins significant contributions from the Surf Coast Shire of $825,000 towards the project as well as an extra $75,000 from the sporting clubs.

Mr Eren said the funding and construction of femalefriendly change rooms would go a long way in encouraging equality in sports.

“Growing numbers of boys and girls, men and women are signing up to play sport at local clubs, however many clubs are struggling with inadequate facilities,” he said.

“We want all Victorians to have access to high-quality facilities regardless of age, gender or location.”

Pony club president Vanessa Bourk thanked volunteers from all three clubs who had worked tirelessly to fundraise towards the event.

“It will be really nice for us to have new facilities that is on par with the one here (the football-netball and cricket clubrooms) and will be able to showcase our wonderful grounds; we will be able to have bigger events,” Ms Bourk said.