FROM THE MINISTER FOR SPORT AND RECREATION
DATE: Friday, March 7, 2008
SHEPPARTON SWITCHED ON FOR AFL FOOTBALL
The Minister for Sport and Recreation, James Merlino, today officially switched on the new floodlights at Deakin Reserve as Shepparton hosted it’s first ever AFL pre-season night match.
Speaking at the AFL Challenge Match between Collingwood and Hawthorn, Mr Merlino said it was great that local football fans no longer had to travel to Melbourne to see live AFL games.
“Deakin Reserve now has AFL-standard lighting, offering great opportunities for this oval to continue to host AFL pre-season matches and even for team training sessions to be held here,” Mr Merlino said.
“Hosting pre-season matches and training at night reduces the risk of heat-related injury to players and also means the matches won’t interfere with local sporting competitions, such as tennis, bowls and cricket, scheduled during the day.
“Importantly, the oval’s home clubs and other members of the Goulburn Valley Football League can also take advantage of night training and matches.
“Some of the game’s greats played junior football in Shepparton, including Steven King, Adem Yze and Anthony Stevens, so it’s great that we can continue to improve sports facilities, help increase participation and foster the development of future stars.”
Mr Merlino said the new lighting would also provide more opportunities for locals to enjoy other football codes at Deakin Reserve, such as soccer and rugby, as well as non-sporting events.
“The lights will help attract all kinds of events to Shepparton – and thousands of visitors will come with them,” he said.
“For example, the Crusty Demons motorcycle tour is coming this Easter, with an expected crowd of 10,000 people.”
Mr Merlino said the project received $250,000 from the Brumby Government through the Country Football Netball Program, which included an upgrade to lighting at Tatura’s Howley Oval.
The $440,000 lighting project included the installation of four 30-metre light towers, a new main switchboard and switching gear to allow varied lighting levels for different activities.
“The Country Football and Netball Program acknowledges the important role regional sporting clubs play in getting communities together and promoting healthy lifestyles,” Mr Merlino said.
(c) Copyright Sponsorship News 2007“So far, the program has invested more than $6.7 million in nearly 200 projects in country communities where it’s needed most.”
