Kicking goals on new pitch

Some of the Warragul United mini-roos players were probably not even born when the club first began its lobbying for a synthetic pitch.  But on Saturday, the youngest members of the club were first to kick goals on the new $2 million pitch.

The synthetic pitch has been years in the making with Warragul United Soccer Club president Peter O’Dea heading lobbying efforts to Baw Baw Shire Council.

The club presented a business case to council in 2018 with a clear message by Mr O’Dea – “a synthetic pitch would be a game changer for our club.”

At the time, the club said they risked turning away members and games had been abandoned because of poor playing conditions.

Fast forward three years and the pitch has been delivered.

The synthetic pitch was officially opened on Saturday with the mini-roos first to test the new playing surface and the day’s program finishing with the seniors in a three-all draw with Eltham Redbacks.

Mr O’Dea said it had been a “lot of hard work” over many years to get to Saturday’s opening.

While welcoming the synthetic pitch, Mr O’Dea said there was still more to be done and the female friendly changerooms was a huge priority.

“We didn’t want to be greedy but we’ve been going for 58 years and this is the first chunk of money we’ve received from council.

“Baw Baw has supported us and funded the pitch without government backing,” he said.

Council and the club have been unsuccessful in two rounds of state government funding to complete the project with the female friendly rooms.

Mr O’Dea said currently the men’s public toilet adjoined the changerooms which meant if a man was going to the toilet, he would see directly into where women were getting changed.

The synthetic pitch and associated works were fully funded by council.

The state of the art facility features a FIFA certified synthetic playing surface, drainage, fencing, playing equipment and storage, accessible access ramp and stairs and compliant accessible car parking spaces.

Council is continuing to seek funding opportunities for the remaining stages of the project, including the construction of female and child friendly change rooms, spectator shelters, car parking and other ancillary works as required.