CASH TO HELP SOCCER’S YOUNG GUNS THRIVE
JUKE Loxton loves kicking goals and he is excited to kick a lot more with the girls.
The five-year-old member of Runaway Bay “Bayhawks” Soccer Club is one of 450 players who will benefit from a new $100,000 state-of-theart club expansion and additional female teams.
Bayhawks president Lee Russell said stage one of construction – a viewing platform for spectators and social events – was a positive step forward in COVID-19.
“We have barely stayed alive but I feel like we are in a really good place now and it’s exciting times ahead,” he said.
“This platform will enhance the playing experience but also support the social atmosphere of our club, which is important.”
Division 4 councillor Cameron Caldwell and Broadwater MP David Crisafulli officially unveiled the expansion on Saturday.
Cr Caldwell said the $100,000 funding boost and a further $50,000 city council grant for additional field lighting and changerooms was vital, especially to support the club’s evergrowing women’s side.
“Local sporting clubs such as Runaway Bay are an important part of our community and I’m happy to help and financially support the wonderful things they are doing.”
Mr Russell said the club had come a long way since its first female player Angie Levinge in 1978 but there was still a lot more work to be done.
“It’s been exciting now having four female teams, especially after the recent announcement of the Women’s World Cup to be held in Australia but we need extra facilities to keep kicking goals,” he said.