Call for soccer funds
A $2.5 million request for a synthetic soccer pitch in Warragul has raised questions about why soccer needs have dropped off Baw Baw Shire Council’s infrastructure priorities.
Warragul United Soccer Club president Peter O’Dea told councillors the club wanted answers on an undelivered business case for new grounds; and, why the project had dropped off council’s infrastructure radar.
Twelve years ago, Mr O’Dea was on a shire steering committee in which a consultant study of recreation needs in Baw Baw Shire identified soccer was in “dire need of grounds.”
But still no money has been forthcoming and the club is at risk of losing members.
Mr O’Dea said the club was at a point of desperation.
At a special meeting to hear submissions on its draft budget last week, Baw Baw Shire Council was told if it could not commit funds to a synthetic soccer pitch in Warragul, hundreds of kids could be turned away from the game.
“We are wondering where they are going to go,” Mr O’Dea said. “It is a growing area and we need more infrastructure. But we are getting to the stage that we will have to turn people away.
“It is getting to the stage where we will be saying go away, we have nowhere for you to play and train.
Mr O’Dea said it was getting to a point of desperation.
“Twelve years ago council voted to give us grounds and now, we aren’t even included in the current long term infrastructure plan.
“There was a business case undertaken by council and that hasn’t been followed through,” he said.
The $2.5 million funding bid would, according to Mr O’Dea, cover the costs of a synthetic pitch, lighting, car park and upgraded change room facilities to cater for women’s teams.
Mr O’Dea told council new soccer facilities including grounds and clubrooms were included in the Warragul precinct structure plan, but that could be 15 years away.
Short term, he said a synthetic pitch would allow the club to train on the ground every night, with all grades from juniors to seniors being catered for.
“If we don’t get a synthetic pitch there will be a couple of hundred kids asking council where do they go,” he said.
But it won’t be the first time the club has seen a mass exodus of junior players.
Speaking after the meeting, Mr O’Dea said the club lost 250 juniors when the club lost use of a second ground for development of the Warragul Special School on adjoining land.
Since then, he said, the club simply could not cater for mini-roos and junior numbers on one ground.
WUSC currently field seniors and reserves teams in the Men’s State League 1, as thirds and women’s teams in the Gippsland Soccer League and an under 14s team in the metro league.
Club secretary Paul Sheehan said they want, and need, a synthetic pitch “so we can operate 24/7 and have juniors.”
“We feel like we have been fobbed off several times. There just doesn’t seem to be any urgency.
“They are concerned they will invest money here (at Baxter Park) and then it will be moved anyway,” Mr Sheehan said.
Mr O’Dea said privately owned land in Lillico Rd had been identified in the PSP for new soccer facilities but they needed something now.
“We are predominantly an AFL area, we know that, but we have missed out on a lot of funding.
In Mr O’Dea’s 47 years at the club, he said he knew of only $20,000 shire money for lights and another $35,000 to assist with clubroom expansions.
“Every sport is important but it is our turn, and it was voted on 12 years ago,” he said.
Mr O’Dea said there were opportunities for funding through the Latrobe Valley Authority but council also had to commit to the project.