Football West News

Pictured: Premier Colin Barnett with Balcatta players. Photo: Chelsea Bates

A project that was three years in planning and took five months to construct is now the pride of Balcatta, whose new stand was officially opened last week.

Premier Colin Barnett, opposition leader Mark McGowan, Stirling Mayor Giovanni Italiano and Member for Balcatta Chris Hatton MLA were among the VIPs at the launch.

President Peter Carlino thanked the City of Stirling for assistance in the project that was entirely funded by the club and sponsors.

“We may not have the biggest facilities but we have a definite plan to make them the most welcoming,” Carlino said.

“Our club, like every other club, exists because of past visions, past efforts of its members, volunteers and the support from our sponsors.”

Pictured: Balcatta's new stand.

The club’s former President Pat Luca was a key figure during the development and completion of the project.

“It certainly didn’t go through smoothly and we had many hiccups, problems, challenges etc,” Luca said. “But for every one of them, we came up with solutions.

“We did what had to be done and worked very hard to come up with this beautiful grandstand that we can all be very proud of.”


Pictured: Peter Carlino and Pat Luca at he official opening.

The 243-seat stand, which was completed through the hard work of Balcatta officials, volunteers and sponsors, is one of several facilities projects taken on by PS4 NPLWA clubs recently.

Perth SC’s Community Playing Fields project took a major step forward in March when it secured $850,000 in State Government funding.

Other projects to have been completed or investigated in recent years include:

•    Upgraded change rooms at Floreat Athena
•    Improved carpark, change rooms and seating at Armadale
•    Renovated change rooms at Cockburn City
•    Turf renovation at Inglewood United
•    New seating at Sorrento
•    New perimeter fencing at Stirling Lions
•    Completion of new clubrooms at ECU Joondalup
•    Improvement of change rooms and car park and investigation of lighting at Bayswater City
•    New seating and fencing at Subiaco's Rosalie Park

Perth President Gary Marocchi said the State Government's investment in the Community Playing Fields project would underpin the Dorrien Gardens development.

“The project has now reached a major milestone and we will be working around the clock to ensure we can deliver this project for our members and the community by the start of the 2016 National Premier League season,” he said.


Pictured: Artists impression of the Perth Community Playing Fields project.

Read more about the Perth project by clicking here

PS4 NPLWA Manager Chris Beech said the endeavours of club officials and volunteers to make improvements on and off the field were a significant boost to the entire sport.

“Clubs have been raising the bar on the field with player development and coaching qualifications and it’s fantastic to see them also investing in aspects off the field,” Beech said. “This will ensure clubs have the capacity to continue to grow, which is what the game needs.

“It’s great to see so many NPLWA clubs investing in their facilities for the future of football.”


Pictured: Subiaco in action at Rosalie Park.