VICTORIAN Sports Minister John Eren on Friday announced a major funding package from both the local and state governments totalling $750,000 to significantly expand the existing clubroom/changeroom facility at Lara United FC’s Recreation Reserve.

PHOTO: (From left) Lara United president Aaron Pettman, Victorian State Sports Minister John Eren, City of Greater Geelong Deputy Mayor Peter Murrihy and Lara United secretary and local Windemere Ward Councillor Kylie Grzybek were joined by some of the club's junior female players at the Major Funding Announcement at Lara Recreation Reserve on Friday (Photo: Tonci Prusac)

According to Minister Eren, a total funding package in excess of $750,000 will go a long way towards providing adequate female friendly changerooms at the club which has a significant number of registered female players.

“Lara United has come a long way in its 20 years. Today, they boast more than 200 members, 40 per cent of which are women and girls, said Minister Eren.

“But female teams have access to only one suitable change room at the club. That’s about to change. (We are) proud to announce we’ll be building more dedicated female change rooms here at Lara Reserve,” he added.

Minister Eren revealed that the State Government will be contributing $100,000 towards the project, while Council will tip in an extraordinary $600,000!

Also present at the major announcement were City of Greater Geelong (COGG) Deputy Mayor Peter Murrihy, as well as a number of special guests from Sports and Recreation Victoria and COGG, including local Windemere Ward Councillor and secretary of Lara United FC, Kylie Grzybek.

Lara United FC president Aaron Pettman, meanwhile, thanked his hardworking committee for all their contribution on the project up until now, but also acknowledged all the effort the previous committee members had invested in campaigning for the funding assistance.

In an official statement released by the club later that day on social media, the club said it was excited to share the news with its members and supporters.

“After many hours of hard work Lara United FC has been awarded funding for dedicated female friendly change rooms together with a canteen and social space,” said the statement.

“Over 40 percent of our playing group (consisting of) females, so this is fantastic news for our girls and their coaches, as well as for all the juniors coming through our ever growing club. The funding will ensure that in the future, we will be able to host great fundraising events in our own space, and most importantly, no players will ever have to get changed on the side of the pitch again.

“We would like to thank the City of Greater Geelong and Minister John Eren for the funding. We are truly appreciative and grateful, this funding will make a massive difference to our ability to support our players. A big ‘thanks’ goes out to Aaron Pettman and Kylie Grzybek for the hours of work that went into preparing this grant application, and thanks to all of our committee, volunteers, players and supporters past and present for your continued commitment to our club,” concluded the official statement by Lara United FC.

The Council component of the funding package is expected to be factored into next year’s budget with club officials hopeful the project will be completed by late 2019.