One of Geelong’s biggest clubs, Barwon Soccer Club, now has even more room to grow thanks to the completion of an additional gender-neutral changeroom at their home ground at Grovedale Recreation Reserve.

Member for South Barwon Darren Cheeseman today joined representatives from the 480-member strong club to officially open the new facilities, made possible by a $150,000 investment from the Victorian Government’s Community Sports Infrastructure Fund.

Prior to the pandemic, Barwon Soccer Club had seen a boom in numbers, with almost 80 women and girls now playing for the club. The previous club rooms were struggling to meet the demand. 

With community sport now back, the new change room is equipped to cater for both male and female players, providing space for the club to grow participation, particularly for women and girls, juniors and all abilities players. There’s also new access pathways and two new storage areas.

Together the new facilities meet Football Victoria standards allowing the club to host more training and competition games at the reserve.

The Victorian Government has invested more than $1.1 billion in community sport and recreation infrastructure since 2014.

This includes the recent $55 million budget boost towards sports infrastructure investments to deliver new and improved community sports infrastructure across the state, with a particular focus on providing facilities to encourage participation among women and girls through the popular Female Friendly Facilities Fund.

From changeroom upgrades to new lighting, investments like these provide high-quality and accessible places for Victorians to reap the benefits of sport and active recreation participation.

Investments like these are all about creating jobs, stimulating local economies, and fast-tracking community recovery by improving the health, wellbeing, and social outcomes for Victorian communities.

The Victorian Government investment in the project is complemented by a contribution from the City of Greater Geelong of over $390,000 and the Barwon Soccer Club kicking in over $21,000.

For more information about infrastructure grant opportunities available through the Victorian Government visit sport.vic.gov.au

Quotes attributable to Member for South Barwon Darren Cheeseman

“For too long clubs like Barwon Soccer Club have been hamstrung by outdated facilities - they deserve appropriate facilities they can be proud of.”

“The new change room provides a real incentive for Barwon Soccer Club to ramp up training and development and for local women, men, boys and girls to join in the fun.”

“Better sport and recreation facilities make it easier for Victorians to get back to local sport and recreation when it is safe to do so and lead healthy and active lifestyles.”

Quote attributable to President of Barwon Soccer Club Colin Drain

“The new facilities are fantastic for us and will make a huge difference to our club, and our junior football programs, in particular through the provision of safer and more inclusive club rooms.”