New $14m soccer administration and training facility proposed for Gepps Cross

* Val Migliaccio
* From: The Advertiser
* February 25, 2010 2:40PM


FOOTBALL Federation South Australia chief executive Michael Carter has unveiled the blueprint to keep domestic game thriving and hand Adelaide United a potential home training base.

Carter said the $14.7 million proposal - the Northern Suburbs Community Football Facility - has been approved in principal by the Football Federation Australia.

And the Minister for Sport and Recreation Michael Wright stated the State Government was aware of the proposal and was considering the FFSA's submission.

Carter said 65 out of the 70 FFSA's member clubs were at full participant capacity with the new project set to cope with the demand and growth of the game.

The FFSA currently has 22,000 registered participants, have experienced a 6 per cent growth this year and is expecting more children to play the game after the FIFA World Cup this year.

The FFSA was lobbying the State Government for the funding.



Carter said the FFSA would be self sufficient once the project was approved.

"We are seeking State Government funding," Carter said.

"The business case suggests it would be a viable project that would not require further government funding."

The plan also was initially endorsed by United's chief executive Sam Ciccarello and would be added value to the Gepps Cross Soccer School Carter added.

"This isn't going to take the place of Hindmarsh Stadium," Carter said.

"We will still use Hindmarsh for all major events."

The facility is to be based at Gepps Cross' State Sports Park.

The FFSA would house its administration at Gepps Cross with the development including five playing field - a major event pitch with floodlighting and grandstand, a secondary natural turf pitch with lighting, two futsal courts and a function facility.

Carter said the facility would be able to host World Cup teams as a training facility, federation fixtures, elite national and international soccer events.

The facility would possibly also be United's training venue for its seniors, youth team, women's team and academy teams Carter said.

"We've had discussions with Sam (Ciccarello) and Adelaide United and we'd be open to that."
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/new-soccer-facility-proposed-for-gepps-cross/story-e6frecj3-1225834387080

World Cup: Ballarat bids to be training site

BY EMMA BROWN
04 Mar, 2010 11:24 PM

THE CITY of Ballarat has put up its hand to become a FIFA World Cup training site if Australia's bid to host the event in 2018 or 2022 is successful.

Ballarat Mayor Cr Judy Verlin made the bid official yesterday, signing the FIFA World Cup Training Site Agreement at Morshead Park, the proposed site of an $8.6 million Ballarat regional soccer facility currently in its initial stages.

The final design for the first-class soccer facility will include a 300-seat grandstand, a members standing area for 300 people, change facilities for four teams, a commercial kitchen, two synthetic pitches and two turf pitches.

Work has already commenced on the first $1 million synthetic pitch funded by the State Government.

Cr Verlin said Football Federation Australia approached council to provide the future Ballarat Regional Soccer Facility as a potential training site and to become a bid partner.

"Without the lobbying of the Football Federation Australia and the investment we wouldn't be here today," Cr Verlin said.

"If successful I have no doubt councils bid will not only promote the sport locally but have significant tourism and economic benefits for Ballarat."

Football Federation South Western Victoria committee member and Ballarat Soccer and Sports Club president Andrew Burgess said the investment in new facilities was a massive step forward for the sport and the region's economy.

"It has been a three-and-a-half year project to get it to this stage and council has been very supportive," Mr Burgess said.

Mr Burgess said the infrastructure was required immediately to continue the grassroots development of the sport.

Someone who will benefit greatly from the elite facilities planned will be Red Devils player, eight-year-old Nedeljko Mitrovic.

Nedeljko may have only been playing for two years but according to his mother, Anita Mitrovic, he kicked 31 goals in his first season and 47 in the second.

Every Saturday he travels to Melbourne for coaching at the Professional Football Academy and is on trial for the academy's under-11 squad.

"He just likes to score goals and enjoys the fun and making friends," Ms Mitrovic said.

A decision will be made in December as to where the FIFA World Cup for 2018 and 2022 will be held.

http://www.thecourier.com.au/news/local/news/general/world-cup-ballarat-bids-to-be-training-site/1767968.aspx

Hunter in World Cup Soccer bid

BY JACQUI JONES
08 Mar, 2010 04:00 AM

NEWCASTLE is set to bid for a role in the most watched sporting event in the world, joining a national push to bring the 2018 or 2022 FIFA World Cup, and its billion-dollar benefits, to Australia.

Ratepayers could pay up to $8 million for the privilege, but civic strategists believe the benefits to the city would be widespread and lasting.

Broadmeadow's EnergyAustralia Stadium has already been touted as a venue for a competition match.

Now Newcastle City Council is seeking to bring a piece of the action to up to six other sportsgrounds.

Sites earmarked for training and base camps are the No.1 and No.2 sportsgrounds in Newcastle West, New Lambton's Arthur Edden and Harker ovals, Adamstown Oval and Wanderers Oval in Broadmeadow.

Councillors will consider tomorrow whether to sign up to the world cup bid.

This would commit City Hall to spending between $6 million and $8 million on improving lighting, adding seats and media rooms, and other works to bring the grounds up to scratch.

FIFA will announce in December the host nations for the 2018 and 2022 world cups.

Training venues will be selected in 2015.

A council report says being part of the world cup will bring economic benefits to Newcastle.

The 2006 FIFA World Cup brought 2 million international visitors, 323,000 corporate hospitality guests and 19,000 accredited media to host nation Germany.

The event employed 85,000 people and produced $2 billion in worldwide retail sales of licensed products.

But Newcastle council would be required to hand over money from its grounds to FIFA, while bearing all liability and cost for maintaining the sites, the report says. The council's insurer says this is unacceptable.

Lord Mayor John Tate said yesterday that Newcastle had a good track record as a host city, having accommodated athletes training for past rugby world cups and Olympics.

"We're close to Sydney [and] it's a good, easy place to get around," he said.

"It's good for the economy and it's good for our tourism, and to be seen to be a part of those sort of events is really important."

Cr Tate said the $6 million to $8 million investment required was a lot of money, but state and federal assistance might be available, and the benefit was lasting.

"I think it's an investment in our own local infrastructure and our own sporting people," he said.

Newcastle's credentials for hosting other regional and national sporting competitions would also be enhanced, Cr Tate said.

A Football Federation Australia spokesman said last night the governing body was examining the range of training sites around the country and encouraged any communities to put their areas forward.

http://www.theherald.com.au/news/local/news/general/hunter-in-world-cup-soccer-bid/1769764.aspx?storypage=0

Soccer splurge kicks off

BY ROBERT FEDELE


INVESTMENT in soccer infrastructure is reaching fever pitch across the northern and western suburbs as councils work hard to keep up with the game's growing popularity.

In Brimbank, soccer is booming. The municipality has 2781 registered players - the highest number in Melbourne's north-west.

A north-west soccer strategy report has earmarked the John Ilhan Reserve at Broadmeadows Valley Park as a potential site to be developed as a regional soccer centre.

In the past three years, Hume Council has spent more than $1million improving its soccer facilities.

Projects have included $750,000 to install a synthetic soccer pitch at Broadmeadows Valley Park, training lights at Langama Park Reserve, and warm-season grass conversions on several pitches, including Gibb and Tullamarine reserves.

At Melton Shire it's a similar story.

The council has spent almost $4million in the past three years on soccer-related infrastructure, including five synthetic pitches and two turf training fields.

This year the shire opened the $1.8million Springside recreation precinct in Caroline Springs, which has two synthetic soccer pitches, and the $2.1million Kurranjang and Brookside recreation reserves, which have a total of three pitches.

Melton Council's leisure and library services manager Adam Boyle said the shire was planning for further growth in the sport, now ranked in

the shire behind Australian rules, golf and tennis.

More established areas such as Maribyrnong and Brimbank are also keeping up with the surge in soccer.

Brimbank, which has the most people playing soccer in the west, opened its $1.9 million Keilor Park Recreation Reserve last December.

The venue has two FIFA-approved synthetic soccer fields.


http://www.the-advocate.com.au/news/local/news/general/soccer-splurge-kicks-off/1769482.aspx

Investing in soccer fields

09 Mar, 2010 08:35 AM

SOME people would oppose the idea of Newcastle City Council spending up to $8 million upgrading soccer facilities to support the push to bring the World Cup to Australia. It is a lot of money, even spread over several years, and by its own account the council is hardly awash with dollars.

But the idea does have merit.

Newcastle is an important soccer-playing centre and the World Cup bid could well be the ideal opportunity for a long-overdue upgrade for some of the city's rundown sporting facilities.

World Cups are major tourism events, and if Australia won the right to stage the event in 2018 or 2022 Newcastle would rightly expect to host at least one competition match and to provide a training base for a visiting team.

That would provide appreciable economic benefits for the city, making it reasonable to consider what investment might be needed to help attract a worthwhile slice of the World Cup pie.

Spending has been proposed for the city's No.1 and No.2 sportsgrounds, New Lambton's Arthur Edden and Harker Ovals, Adamstown Oval and the Wanderers ground at Broadmeadow. Projects suggested include better lighting, seating and media facilities, among other improvements.

Lord Mayor John Tate has sensibly suggested exploring the possibility of state or federal financial assistance for upgrades associated with a World Cup bid. That is an obvious first step before any final decision on the question.

If the council decides to make a significant investment in its soccer grounds it must ensure the money is spent in a way that maximises the benefits to the city's sportspeople.

Properly designed and executed improvements would serve to both support Australia's World Cup bid and to modernise some of the city's key sporting facilities, with benefits potentially lasting for decades.

http://www.theherald.com.au/news/opinion/editorial/general/investing-in-soccer-fields/1770798.aspx?storypage=0

Mariners at Tuggerah" a step closer to reality

Thursday, 11 March 2010
by Glen Lauder

The Central Coast Mariners have taken a major step toward their goal of becoming the Club of Choice for football in Australia, after today completing the purchase of a 12-hectare site at Tuggerah from Wyong RSL.

"Following today’s settlement, which means that now that we own the site, and have the Development Approval in place from Council, we can now move on to starting work on the construction of the football fields and the refurbishment of the licenced club over the coming months.

"We look forward to providing a home to be proud of for the Central Coast Mariners Hyundai A-League, National Youth League and Westfield W-League teams, Mariners and RSL members and for a facility the entire Central Coast community can utilise," said chairman of the Mariners Trust Peter Turnbull.

The immediate priority will be the development of world-class training pitches to be utilised by the Mariners first team, who have endured a nomadic existence during the first five seasons of the Hyundai A-League, in utilising a total of 16 training fields.

"The club has been focussed on providing a single training base for its first team for some time, and this is the fruit of intense labour from a lot of people," said Mariners Executive Chairman Lyall Gorman.

"Giving (head coach) Graham (Arnold) and his squad a regular base is paramount. The players, and (football manager) Lawrie (McKinna) were superb in their professionalism during the club’s set up period, and we look forward to this base having a hugely beneficial impact on the club’s on field success."

Once complete, it’s envisaged the development can become the pre-eminent sporting facility of its kind in Australia.

Its construction will reaffirm the Mariners’ continued commitment to the Central Coast, through our development of the highest quality football experience across the region through a direct community and elite football pathway, a stronger link with Central Coast Football and the provision of the perfect base for either the Qantas Socceroos or a visiting international teams, should Australia be successful in winning the right to host either the 2018 or 2022 FIFA World Cups.
© Central Coast Mariners

http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/Australia/default.aspx?s=aus_news_feat_news_news_item&id=32992

Don't know what point giving the Mariners a good pitch will do, their tactics are just lump it into the air anyway.

Unless.. they have been playing long ball because they know they can't train properly!

The Rand Corporation, in conjunction with Foxtel, under the supervision of Ben Buckley, are forcing Graham Arnold to keep the ball on the ground, in a fiendish plot to eliminate the tactic of long-ball.

We're through the looking glass here, people.

:ninja:

Sunshine Coast could host World Cup teams

Alan Lander | 31st March 2010


THE Sunshine Coast could play host to as many as three World Cup football teams should Australia win its bid to host the competition in 2018 or 2022.

Football Federation of Australia officials, who visited the Coast last November to inspect sites, have advised the council that three of its sports venues, along with the University of the Sunshine Coast, would be suitable as training venues.

They are Stockland/Quad Park, Maroochydore Football Club at Martins Creek and Coolum Football Grounds, as well as USC’s Girraween Sports Complex.

FFA officials were also satisfied with the accommodation levels for visiting international teams.

But it could also come at a price.

Council staff have conservatively estimated an economic benefit of $1.5 million based on the visiting teams’ four weeks residence on the Coast, but said infrastructure and preparation requirements to meet FFA standards might not leave much change from $2 million.

The economic benefit estimates did not take into account media and supporter entourages, which would vary in size according to which teams were based here, but they could, in the case of, say, Brazil, at least double the figures.

A price tag of $620,000 over three years would pay for infrastructure and playing surface upgrades, while another $1 million would cover the cost of lighting.

The cost would be spread over the three preceding years leading up to the competition.

Another FFA requirement is that all local advertising at the venues be suspended for the four-week duration.

FFA requires a decision from the council by December.

A council committee has recommended supporting the venture.
http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/story/2010/03/31/sunshine-coast-soccer-world-cup-teams

MP's plan for Beckley Park soccer pitch

Jeff Whalley

April 16th, 2010

A COMPETITION-READY soccer pitch is being proposed for the centre of Beckley Park.

State Lara MP John Eren said a pitch could help increase the community use of the popular greyhound racing facility and also serve the five senior soccer teams in the area.

Mr Eren and Geelong councillor Kylie Fisher have met with facility manager Wayne Elliot to discuss the push.

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The MP said the proposed ground could serve as a possible training facility within Football Federation Australia's World Cup bid.

"We are seeing whether we can get a fit for sporting groups who are looking for facilities," Mr Eren said.

The state MP said the five senior soccer teams in the area were languishing without proper grounds and that the Beckley site could provide an ideal base.

"There are long-term plans for more facilities in Lara but that is a five-year plan," he said.

Mr Eren said there were a number of issues to be clarified before firm action could be taken at Beckley Park.

These include ensuring racing and soccer fixtures did not clash and ensuring liquor licensing issues were settled.

"This would mean more foot traffic for Beckley Park overall, so it is an ideal fit," he said.

The proposal would alter the Beckley Park upgrade outlined to the media earlier this month. According to plans released on April 2 there would be a dam in the centre of the new Beckley Park.

But Mr Eren said it would not be difficult to add the pitch and a facility could be up and going within a year.

The state has already ploughed $4.3 million into the $8 million redevelopment to build a new grandstand, two racetracks and multi-purpose facilities by December this year.

Mr Elliot said the club was at the very early stages of discussing the option.

"It is a very important site at the apex of Geelong and we are always investigating different uses," he said.

http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2010/04/16/164381_news.html

Stockland plans set to go ahead

Steve Zemek | 29th April 2010

THE Sunshine Coast could host domestic Twenty20 cricket and pre-season AFL matches as a part of the planned $10 million redevelopment of Stockland Park.

An artist’s impression of how a revamped Stockland Park could look.

THE Sunshine Coast could host domestic Twenty20 cricket and pre-season AFL matches as a part of the planned $10 million redevelopment of Stockland Park.

The Sunshine Coast Regional Council will vote today on a proposed 1000-seat grandstand for the Kawana facility, however, the Daily understands the long-mooted project is all but assured of receiving the final tick of approval.

Under existing plans, the refurbishment will include a rectangular field designed to accommodate rugby league, rugby union and soccer.

However, it will also include a portable grandstand on the eastern side of the field which would allow the ground to play host to Australian rules and cricket.

Stockland Park managing director John Kelly said the facility was focused on catering to its current clients – the Sunshine Coast Sea Eagles, Stingrays and the Fire – however, would explore opportunities to attract other codes.

“We’re very aware of the popularity of the IPL and Twenty20 events in India and mindful that that option might be explored in Australia so we want to keep that option open,” he said.

“So if they want to play there (at Stockland Park) or use it purely as a training venue when they’re having those major events, we’ll be looking to attract those major teams, their players, their officials, their supporters, the entertainment value that that presents to the people of the Sunshine Coast, as well as the economic benefits.”

Plans for a grandstand at Stockland Park have been in the works for a decade and look likely to come to fruition on the back of intense lobbying by the Sunshine Coast sporting community.

On Tuesday the council general committee recommended the plan – which includes 1000 undercover grandstand seats, change rooms, medical and media rooms and public toilets – receive full approval.

If it is passed, ground will be broken by June 30 and would be completed by April 30 next year.

Sunshine Coast Rugby Union chairman Glenn Ferguson said while the Stingrays would likely endure some disruption to their schedule as a result of construction, the project had his full backing.

“At the end of the day we’ll all have to accommodate across the board,” he said. “These things always cause speed bumps. In the long term we’ve just got to accommodate the proposals.”

The project will be jointly funded by the council and the Federal Government after the State Government withdrew its backing. Sea Eagles CEO Justin Veivers welcomed the move, praising the council for pushing it through.

“I hang my head in shame some days when it rains,” he said. “We’ve had a couple of rainy home games and what you ask people to put up with is just disgraceful.

“And you think ‘how can you be anything other than amateurish with what we’ve got’. We’ve got a hardworking team of people who do their absolute best. But at the end of the day if it rains, you get wet. It’s not good enough.

“The amount of infrastructure over there that’s not permanent, it’s a joke. It’s long overdue.”

Fire chairman Noel Woodall said it would prove a boon for his club as it seeks to attract high-profile opposition to the Coast.

The Fire has in the past hosted international and A-League sides however has been held back from further pursuing the idea because of the shoddy nature of the temporary facilities at Stockland.

“We’re happy to say we’re looking forward to it,” Woodall said.

“We’re looking forward to having a facility, or the beginning of a facility that will give us a regional centre that can be respected.

“We’d be happy with a $10 million facility. The sooner the better. The capacity’s always an issue for bigger events but I think there are always ways around adding capacity at fairly low cost.

“It’d be a great start for a pretty reasonable regional centre to market. We bring over the Japanese and we’ve got offers from other countries to have other events here.

“We’d love to bring them to the Coast and the thing holding us back is a good facility.”

The amount of infrastructure over there that’s not permanent, it’s a joke. It’s long overdue.


http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/story/2010/04/29/grand-design-10m-stockland-park-plans/

Western grandstand design revealed

SAM HALL
12 May, 2010 04:34 PM

Designs for a $28.9 million western grandstand redevelopment at WIN Stadium have been unveiled in Wollongong today, ahead of work starting next month.

The 6000-seat grandstand will boost WIN Stadium’s capacity to 23,000 and accommodate ticketing, catering, media and toilet facilities, two function rooms and improved access.

Demolition of the old grandstand will begin in June, with the new grandstand expected to be completed by the end of 2011.

The grandstand will provide 640 jobs during construction, and a further 81 jobs once complete.

http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/news/local/news/general/western-grandstand-design-revealed/1828076.aspx

New pitch attracts big games

SOCCER: Bunbury’s new rectangular playing field has taken local soccer to another level and is expected to attract State and national soccer and rugby games.

The $507,000 pitch was officially opened last Saturday by Mayor David Smith and the president of the Bunbury Forum Force (formerly SW Phoenix), Vern Merchant.

The new pitch will enable the Force to host regular games of State league football at their home ground in Bunbury.

Bunbury Mayor David Smith said the new community facility would give young sports people more opportunities to train and play locally.

The pitch was made possible by shared funding from the City of Bunbury, the State Government and Federal funding from its stimulus package.

http://www.bunburymail.com.au/news/local/sport/football-soccer/new-pitch-attracts-big-games/1796652.aspx

$2.5m funding for stadium in doubt

Melissa Grant | 5th July 2010

THE delivery of $2.5m in funding for the Mackay stadium will be delayed if the PM calls an election within the next fortnight.

Former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd announced the extra $2.5 million in funding, needed for NRL-standard stadium lighting and other upgrades, three weeks ago, after launching the project in April.
Peter Holt

THE delivery of $2.5 million in funding for NRL-standard lighting and seating for the Mackay stadium will be delayed if Prime Minister Julia Gillard calls an election within the next fortnight.

Whispers that Ms Gillard will announce a date for the election any day now has stadium committee acting chairman Brett Leach feeling a tad nervous.

The additional $2.5 million funding for the stadium, announced by former PM Kevin Rudd three weeks ago, is yet to be signed off – and the Federal Government won’t hand over any money if it enters caretaker mode.

“We are still in the process of signing off on it with the government,” Mr Leach said. “We only need two to three weeks, the department told us.

“My concern is that an election is called and we go into caretaker mode. Once the election is called no money can be handed out.”

The extra $2.5 million would fund NRL-standard stadium lighting, seating on three sides of the stadium, a sealed carpark, upgraded hospitality facilities and a community refuge room, Mr Rudd said when he made the announcement.

Mr Leach said all he and the rest of the stadium committee could do was hope that Ms Gillard didn’t call an election before the paperwork was signed off.

“When she is going to call an election is anyone’s guess,” he said.

Mr Leach said the committee had been working as fast as possible to complete the paperwork, which would be posted off today.

“Hopefully she (Ms Gillard) hangs off,” he said.

Mr Leach said he was confident the funding would be delivered, albeit later, if an election was called and there was a change of government.

He said Opposition Leader Tony Abbott indicated strong support for the project when he visited Mackay three weeks ago.

“He said he would definitely look at it and recognised it as worthwhile. George Christensen (LNP candidate for Dawson) also told me he would take it up.”

A spokesperson for Minister for Infrastructure Anthony Albanese said: The Department of Infrastructure is working with Stadium Mackay to finalise arrangements for the additional $2.5 million committed by the Government last month as soon as possible.”

http://www.dailymercury.com.au/story/2010/07/05/extra-25m-funding-for-stadium-in-doubt-if-pm-calls/