Gerald Lynch
Several Sunbury sporting associations are calling out for funding in the upcoming Hume council budget.
In last week’s Hume council meeting, the public had a chance to put forward its ideas to be included in the budget with 75 submissions made.
Sunbury United Soccer Club came to the council to ask for help building a safe and inclusive soccer environment for females.
United female coordinator Sara Nannery said they are pushing for assistance that will benefit not only the club, but the wider Sunbury community.
“We believe that 2024 is going to be a transformative year for our club, we have already had a 130 per cent increase in female participation… to be honest we are struggling to meet that demand,” she said.
“We want to ensure that we can not only cater for the current demands but also future demands and growth in soccer in Sunbury.”
Club secretary Jacqui Scott said funding is needed to increase capacity to meet the rapid growth of soccer in Sunbury with the club having about 300 juniors.
“We don’t have the space or pitches available,” she said. “It’s come down to a point where we’ve had to turn players away, and that’s not what we want as a community club.”
It is requesting an estimated $150,000 in funding for a portable shelter for its second pitch to ensure safety for female athletes, as well as a high fence behind the goals.
The Sunbury and District Table Tennis Club has put in a funding request for a purpose built stadium.
In a letter to council, it explained that its current shared stadium at Clarke Oval isn’t big enough to meet an increasing demand and is making it difficult for the club to bring in new participants.
The Sunbury Basketball Association has requested allocated funding for the redevelopment of Eric Boardman Stadium and a design and concept for the South Sunbury indoor multi-purpose venue.
The overall forecasted costs of their upgrades sit at more than $3.2 million, including an upgraded bar and canteen, a new entry concourse, upgraded amenities, and bigger offices and meeting rooms.
The East Sunbury Sporting Group has requested $900,000 of funding for an upgraded and expanded social rooms at John McMahon Reserve.
