Petition Funding for Football Victoria

Issue:

This petition of residents in Victoria draws to the attention of the Legislative Assembly to the continuing growth of community football (soccer) across our state. It plays a driving role in active recreational, health, wellbeing, cultural and socio-economic outcomes. That’s why the Victorian Government’s supported football’s growth through the Home of the Matilda’s, Home of Football, and previous funding to upgrade local facilities. However Football’s participation continues to surge across Victoria, with over 400,000 participants and 127,000 registered players, a 57% increase since 2022. This growth’s been driven by a 120% increase in women and girls participation since 2019 alone. Football Victoria’s (FV) Facilities Strategy 2025-2035, anticipates at least 22,500 more players in coming years, requiring additional support via better regional football hubs and local-grassroots facilities through modern and resilient grounds, lighting, amenities and female-friendly changerooms. FV’s comprehensive strategies – including the Facilities Strategy 2025-2035, Facilities Audit, State of Play Report, and Level the Playing Field Campaign – provide the opportunity to ensure community football facilities keep pace to support equitable access to the game, and provide the Victorian Government with the pathway to partner with FV to deliver the ‘goal’ of new football facilities across the State.

Action:

The petitioners therefore request that the Legislative Assembly calls on the Government to commit new investment and resources to help Football Victoria deliver its strategic priorities – including the re-establishment of a dedicated World Game Facilities Fund.