The Federal Labor Party has announced it will invest $1 million to upgrade Northern Tasmanian football grounds so that junior players can develop their skills on first grade pitches, and senior teams have improved home grounds in Launceston.
If elected, a Bill Shorten Government has vowed to invest:
- $675,000 towards completing the upgrade of the Churchill Park Sports Complex – the home of junior football in Northern Tasmania
- $250,000 to upgrade facilities at Windsor Park – the home ground of Riverside Olympic FC
- $50,000 to provide covered spectator seating at Birch Avenue – the home ground of Launceston United
- $25,000 for upgrades at the NTCA no.2 Ground – the home ground of Northern Rangers FC
Labor Member for Bass, Ross Hart MP has been working closely with the Launceston City Council, West Tamar Council and Football Tasmania to deliver on a package of upgrades that will meet the needs of the local community.
"We understand that investments like this make a huge difference in a region like Northern Tasmania. More than 1800 junior and youth players already train and play at Churchill Park every week and this number is continuing to grow. Labor wants to see this facility keep up with growth in the region as more young people join the sport." said Hart.
“We are proud to invest in projects like this one in Northern Tasmania, which help communities deliver better sporting facilities and if Labor is elected in May will also support local construction jobs once these upgrades get underway.”
“Small investments like upgraded seating, covering spectator stands and boosting car parking facilities across these ovals will, put simply, make it easier for more people to participate in sport, get active and have a good time and for clubs to support the welcome growth in female participation in club sports,” Senator Farrell said.
Hart congratulated those who had worked together to deliver this announcement
“It’s been great to work constructively with all of these groups to deliver on a common goal, and one that will significantly benefit our community. Labor is working hard from Opposition to stand up for the people of Launceston and Northern Tasmania and hopes to soon be able to deliver for them in Government.”
“Federal Labor’s investment will improve facilities across four Northern Tasmanian football grounds in partnership with local councils and groups like Football Tasmania.”
Football Tasmania CEO Matt Bulkeley welcomed the commitment
"This funding will help to solidify Churchill Park as the hub for junior football in Launceston. Getting two full sized pitches in at the venue is really going to help our capacity to accommodate the strong junior playing numbers in the region. This is a welcome investment in an area where our junior numbers simply demanded upgraded and improved facilities."
He added the additional upgrades would benefit senior football in the region as well.
"Riverside are a growing club that have made the step up into our premiere Men's competition, the NPL TAS this season and this investment will help see Windsor Park become one of the premiere footballing venues in the state to match that status."
The pledge comes off the back of
Saturday's $1.5 million Lightwood Park funding announcement, with Bulkeley stating he was pleased by the recent developments.
"It’s really pleasing to see that the levels of investment are now starting to more accurately reflect our popularity and overwhelming participation numbers.”
