ONE of Kilmore’s longest serving football coaches, has taken aim at the state government for ‘sinking more money’ into Melbourne’s stadiums instead of helping out in the country and outer suburbs.
Ray Carroll slammed a $225 million deal with the AFL to redevelop the Etihad Stadium precinct, while $100 million has been allocated for facilities.
Mr Carroll said he wasn’t the only one who shared concerns about the state’s football.
“I am not the only who has concerns about this deal… I don’t understand. Couldn’t that money be better spent around suburban and country clubs where facilities are poor and clubs are falling over due to funding?” he said.
“This game is built on volunteers. If they all stopped and walked away, the sport would die. They are the real stakeholders in the whole thing.
“I want to see more money given to the ordinary people to help out.”
Mr Carroll said the funding available was positive, but clubs were still in vulnerable positions.
Victorian Minister for Sport John Eren told the North Central Review there was plenty of funding on offer for the state’s football clubs.
The state budget will invest $60 million for community sporting grants, $5 million for Community Sports Infrastructure loans and $15 million for the Female Friendly Facilities Fund.
Mr Eren said the funding would target both the city and local sporting clubs.
“Labor has delivered the biggest investment in women’s and community sport in Victoria’s history – upgrading local grounds, change rooms and pavilions so more Victorians have the facilities they need to play and watch the sport they love,” he said in a statement.
“We can have both here in Victoria – the biggest games and the best venues, and first-class facilities for grassroots clubs across our suburbs and regions.”
Recently, the Kilmore Football Netball Club was interested in developing new social rooms, while Member for Euroa Steph Ryan committed to an upgrade at Seymour’s Kings Park if The Nationals win government in November.
