Goodbye bowls, hello soccer at Workers Parramatta

Business14 Sep 10 @ 07:02am by Steven Deare

BOWLING greens are out and soccer fields are in as part of a Parramatta club’s overhaul to recruit a younger generation of members.

Workers Parramatta, at the eastern end of George St in the CBD, has plans to convert its bowling greens into mini football fields.

The club plans to lease its premises to a soccer group that will run an academy, school and social competitions seven days per week.

Golden Goal director Alex Medakovic hoped to create a facility similar to indoor soccer with floodlights, netting and spectator stands.

``Football is a massive sport in Parramatta,’’ he said. ``We hope to have a preschool competition for three to five-year-olds, we’ll try and have schools in the afternoon, and afterwards junior academies and social competitions.

``Then we get them into the club after that.’‘

Medakovic already runs a facility at Strathfield Sports Club, along with business partners and former national league players Angelo Petratos and Terry Talatanis.

Workers no longer uses its greens, and Medakovic said the club saw the mutual benefits in soccer competitons.

``Times have changed, young blood is coming in,’’ he said.

``Bowls is not as popular as it used to be. The greens were proposed to be a carpark but we said we can bring young people in.

``The club has everything we need in infrastructure and a kiosk.

``And it gives us members, so it’s win-win.’‘

Not everyone was happy about the plans. Neighbouring resident Jim Piercy has complained to Parramatta Council, still to determine the DA.

He said the facility would bring noise and parking hassles.

He was also concerned for residents’ amenity with floodlights in use till 10pm, seven days.

Mr Piercy also questioned why Golden Goal couldn’t play at nearby Robin Thomas Reserve.

Workers Blacktown general manager Neale Vaughan did not respond to the Advertiser’s calls for comment. The Blacktown venue is the parent club of Workers Parramatta.

http://parramatta-advertiser.whereilive.com.au/news/story/goodbye-bowls-hello-soccer-at-workers-parramatta/