Tuesday 1 July 2025

REGIONAL SPORTS CLUBS SCORE BOOST

Dozens of regional sport clubs across Victoria will score better facilities - boosting participation, local communities and jobs, thanks to the Allan Labor Government.

Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes announced 15 new projects in Northern Victoria have been successful in Round 2 of the Regional Community Sports Infrastructure Fund (RCSIF), investing in women and girls’ change rooms, sports courts and fields and more.

• Kinglake Football Netball Club will receive $875,000 for the redevelopment of the Kinglake Memorial Reserve Oval including upgrades to drainage, irrigation, drought tolerant turf and synthetic turf cricket wicket.

• Mildura Rural City Council will receive $1,168,750 for upgrades to the Underbool Outdoor Seasonal Pool. These upgrades will feature a new unisex all abilities changeroom and toilet; accessibility ramps, pathways, handrails and concourse to both pools; new toddlers pool with wet deck and beach entry; solar water heating system upgrade; new pump, filtration and plant facilities; and pool surface works to address water leakage.

• Swan Hill Rural City Council will receive $450,000 to develop a three lane indoor cricket practice net facility in Nyah. The project will feature LED lighting to indoor Cricket Australia standards, Netball goal posts with line marking, activity zone with fixed fitness equipment and space for yoga/circuit fitness.

• Campaspe Shire Council will receive $40,000 to support the development of a detailed design for a new pavilion benefitting multiple sports and community functions at the Colbinabbin Recreation Reserve.

• Mansfield Shire Council will receive $1 million for upgrades at Mansfield Swimming Pool which will deliver a retractable pool enclosure for the learners pool, change facility upgrades, one pool pod with permanent mounts on the learners and 33 metre pool, all abilities ramp into the 33 metre pool, new sensory play area, new learner pool liner and PV solar system.

• Wangaratta Rovers Baseball & Softball Club will receive $352,200 for lighting upgrades at Targoora Park.

• Alpine Shire Skateboarding Community will receive $164,522 for the redevelopment of Bright Skate Park which will deliver a modern, multi-use skate facility catering to all skill levels.

• Benalla Rural City Council will receive $40,000 to fund the development of Recreation Reserve Master Plans for the four main recreation reserves within Benalla: Churchill Reserve, Benalla Showgrounds, United Friendlies Recreation Reserve and Benalla Gardens Reserve.

• Yackandandah Football and Netball Club will receive $1 million for the construction of a new netball changeroom facility at Butson Park.

• Bethanga Cricket Club will receive $1 million to support the development of a new pavilion at Bethanga Recreation Reserve.

• Wodonga City Council will receive around $400,000 for upgrades at Birallee Park Precinct. The funding will support council in partnering with local clubs to deliver all abilities programs for AFL and hockey. Part of the funding will also support lighting upgrades on the hockey pitch at the Wodonga Hockey Centre and at Emerald Oval. Funding will also be allocated to support the design and planning for a future redevelopment and expansion of the existing pavilion at Birallee Park.

• Toolamba Tennis Club will receive $847,451 for the redevelopment of four existing tennis courts including installation of new lighting on all courts with one court lined for netball. This project also includes fencing and a shared pathway to enhance accessibility and connectivity.

This fund is a game-changer for regional Victoria, with 67 infrastructure projects and 8 participation initiatives now supported, as part of the more than $2.4 billion invested by the Labor Government in community sport infrastructure.

The Community Sports Infrastructure 2024 Outcomes Statement highlights the positive impacts of projects through initiatives like the RCSIF.

In the past two years alone more than 330 community sport projects have increased participation by almost 43 per cent or more than 70,200 new participants, including a 19 per cent increase in junior girls playing sport.

That’s more people of all ages and abilities swimming, playing soccer, netball, volleyball, skateboarding, cycling and more at a range of facilities from skate parks to netball courts, close to home.

Local economies are also winners, with more than 1,170 direct full-time jobs supported in the delivery of more than $538 million worth of community sport and active recreation infrastructure across Victoria.

The Victorian Budget 2025/26 is investing $20 million to continue providing new and improved community sports infrastructure through initiatives like the statewide Local Sports Infrastructure Fund, which will be open for applications in the coming months.

For more information about the fund and successful projects visit sport.vic.gov.au.

Quote attributable to Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence

“These projects will be a game changer for regional communities, giving them modern facilities they can be proud of.”

Quote attributable to Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes

“These upgrades are a huge boost for our community giving local clubs the world class facilities they deserve to increase participation and continue playing the sports they love.”