GREAT news, just prior to the start of the football-netball season for the Wonthaggi Power Football Netball Club.
The club’s oval at Wonthaggi has received a $250,000 grant for various works to be undertaken as part of $1.4 million round of funding from the Country Football and Netball Program.
“Country”? Makes you wonder how Frankston’s Ballam East Oval got $250,000 as well but anyhow…
Here’s what the State Government said in its announcement:
“Wonthaggi Recreation Reserve Oval – home of the Wonthaggi Power Football Netball Club – has scored $250,000 to make ground improvements including new drainage, drought resistant grass and upgraded irrigation, giving the club a quality home-ground.
“Other successful grants include $99,000 towards resurfacing five netball courts at Rochester Recreation reserve – home of the Rochester Netball Association – so the community can keep playing netball and hosting competitions for years to come.”
Here’s a full list of the 2024-25 grant recipients:
- Bass Coast Shire Council Wonthaggi Rec 1 Oval Upgrade
- Campaspe Shire Council Rochester Recreation Reserve Netball Courts Refurbishment
- Indigo Shire Council Barnawartha Recreation Reserve Oval Lighting Upgrade
- Moira Shire Council Cobram Scott Reserve Oval Lighting Upgrade
- Wangaratta City Council Milawa Football Netball Club Lighting Project
- Yarriambiack Shire Council Hopetoun Recreation Reserve Netball Sports Lighting Upgrade Project
And there was also Frankston’s Ballam East Oval project, set to receive $250,000 from the “Country Football and Netball Program” to redevelop the playing surface including drainage, irrigation, new concrete wicket, and synthetic turf to improve the playing conditions for local clubs.
The Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence made the announcement.
“Nothing brings regional communities together like country footy and netball. Through this program we’re supporting hundreds of clubs by giving them facilities the whole community can enjoy and get around,” said Minister Spence.
The Member for Frankston Paul Edbrooke was delighted as you’d expect he would be dipping in to a “country” fund.
“Better facilities mean the Frankston community can continue playing footy and netball in their local community for years to come,” said Mr Edbrooke.
Head of AFL Victoria Greg Madigan welcomed the announcement.
"Since 2005, the funding support provided through the Country Football and Netball Program has had a significant impact on local communities and sporting clubs across the state.
CEO of Netball Victoria Andrea Pearman was also pleased.
“We’re proud to partner with the Victorian Government on the Country Football and Netball Program, which contributes so much to netball communities across the state every year.”
Applications for the new round of grants close on Monday, July 7, 2025.
Regional and outer metropolitan councils can apply for grants of up to $250,000 for sports infrastructure developments including court lighting upgrades, changeroom overhauls, new pavilions and more.
Developed in partnership with the AFL, AFL Victoria and Netball Victoria, the program has invested more than $40 million and delivered more than 580 projects since 2005.
