TWO Geelong region football clubs that have been stretched to capacity will share in just over $900,000 in local and state government funding following two major announcements of significant financial assistance for capital improvements at their respective grounds in the last week.

PHOTO - TOP: State Sports Minister John Eren (centre) flanked by local Labour candidate for the upcoming State election Darren Cheeseman and incumbent Labour MP Christine Couzens, with Geelong Mayor Bruce Harwood (next to her) and Barwon president David Rea (second from right) at Barwon Soccer Club for the announcement last Friday (Photo: Barwon SC Facebook page). BOTTOM: Golden Plains Mayor Helena Kirby congratulates Golden Plains SC president Anthony Vanjek who is flanked by Dean Veenstra (Golden Plains Shire Recreation Officer) on the left and FFV Club Ambassador for the Geelong region Tonci Prusac

Barwon Soccer Club, the region’s biggest club as far as registered participants is concerned with just over 470 players, will receive a total of $500,000 to greatly expand its clubrooms and increase changeroom facilities at its Grovedale Reserve complex.

Announced at a special presentation at the ground last Friday afternoon, the State Government will contribute $150,000 from the Victorian State Government’s ‘Community Sports Infrastructure Fund’ while the City of Greater Geelong will contribute $325,000 and the club will provide just over $24,000 of its own funds.

The project is expected to be commenced in the 2019/20 financial year and completed for use during the 2020 season.

The funding for the pavilion upgrade is in addition to a $75,000 Council Grant, previously awarded to Barwon SC to develop a Master Plan for the Grovedale Reserve complex.

Across the region in Bannockburn, meanwhile, the Golden Plains Soccer Club is literally bursting at the seams with more than 150 players accommodated on one single pitch at the Bannockburn Recreation Precinct.

With registration numbers forced to stagnate over the past two years due to an inability to take in more players, Golden Plains received a major boost on Monday when it was announced a total of $436,102 would be invested immediately into developing a second full sized pitch.

With the State Government contributing $250,000 via the World Game Facilities Fund and the local Golden Plains Shire also contributing $186,102, it is expected that the shovel ready project will be completed by the commencement of the 2019 season.

The major funding announcements come hot on the heels of Football Federation Victoria’s successful launch of the highly anticipated ‘State Football Facilities Strategy to 2026’ on August 27 at AAMI Park, Melbourne.

The strategy outlines FFV’s plan to work hand-in-hand with local communities and government to upgrade local football facilities across the state, in order to ensure they can meet the demands of Australia’s fastest growing club-based participation sport.