By Oliver Lees
Soccer in Sunbury could receive a boost, with the city of Hume proposed as a site for a new north-west regional football hub.
In a submission to Hume council in response to its draft 2021-22 budget, Football Victoria stated the regional football hub would address acritical facilities shortage, making the municipality the “football heartland” of the north-west.
According to Football Victoria data, soccer participation in the Hume area increased 30 per cent from 2018 to 2019.
The project would lead to eight new soccer pitches being built, with Sunbury and Diggers Rest noted as potential destinations.
Sunbury United Football Club president Greg Czapnik said the project would help support the growth of the game in the area.
“We’d absolutely be keen on that going ahead,” Mr Czapnik said.
“Sunbury is an AFL town, we’ve been working hard to have a stronger relationship with the council because it can be hard to get things done.”
Mr Czapnik said his club is already inconvenienced by having to share facilities.
“The difficulty we have is that soccer is viewed as a six month a year sport,” he said.
“In 2019 we ran for 11 months, the only time we stopped was Christmas time.
“But having to share a ground means we don’t get access till the middle of March.”
Football Victoria stated that the new hub would allow clubs to create inclusive teams such as Soccer Needs for All Programs (SNAPP), which is designed for children on the autism spectrum.
Mr Czapnik said Sunbury United had to stop its SNAPP program.
“We had an all-abilities team but we didn’t get the numbers or the coaching staff to keep it going,” he said.
“But with new facilities we could attract more kids that usually go to bigger clubs in the area.
“We’d like to be a destination club, because we’re community-focused and families pay a lot less here.
Hume City Football Club coach Nick Hegarty said although his club’s facilities are exceptional, the hub would be positive for the region.
“It’d be great for the area, we need more participation in the club’s around us,” Mr Hegarty said.
“Having a regional hub would mean that we can better support other clubs and they can better support us.”
Hume council will make a decision on budget submissions later this month.
