The Surf Coast Shire has blown a whistle on bids by two local soccer clubs for support for their entry into a new statewide league.

There are 20 spots available for teams in the National Premier League Victoria (NPLV), which will be the second highest tier of soccer in Australia when it kicks off next year.

Full applications to Football Federation Victoria close tomorrow.

The Surf Coast Football Club is seeking sponsorship for its bid, and has requested $20,000 per year for three years from the shire.

The new Greater Geelong Galaxy team has also asked the shire for a letter of support for its application.

At their meeting last week, councillors resolved to reject both requests but offered in-principle support for Surf Coast FC’s NPLV application.

Surf Coast FC hopes to use the community and civic precinct in Torquay as its training and match day base.

Shire chief executive officer Stephen Wall said the council had a big role to play in creating infrastructure for sporting clubs and the wider community.

“This potentially could be a challenge for the council going forward if a NPLV club sees the need to start using our infrastructure.”

Sustainable communities director Dennis Barker said upgrading the precinct to meet the NPLV’s specifications would cost about $490,000, but no money had been allocated in the capital works budget.

Several councillors questioned whether expressing in-principle support would have future implications, but Mr Wall said the council had not committed to anything.

“The council does, in principle, support a lot of things throughout the shire.

“We’ve been very clear about the council’s position (to Surf Coast FC). The response of the declining of the $20,000 does send a pretty clear message.”

Cr Rod Nockles suggested the two clubs could submit a joint bid, but Mr Wall said Surf Coast FC and the Greater Geelong Galaxy were “fiercely independent”.