Female footballers have scored big with state-of-the-art training facilities at Casey Fields set to be revealed early next month.
The $8 million upgrades follow a joint funding announcement from the State Government, AFL and City of Casey mid-last year.
These works are being jointly delivered through Sport and Recreation Victoria, which funded $5 million of the project, while Council contributed $2.5 million and the AFL, $500,000.
Stage one, which is already in use by AFLW and VFL players, will be officially opened in early February, however MFC star and Pakenham local Tyla Hanks got a sneak peak at the new facilities before her team mates last week.
The Melbourne Dee’s AFLW team’s first home game of the season will be on Saturday 8 February against North Melbourne at 3.00 pm.
The latest works include an upgrade to the ground floor of the pavilion, accommodating new female friendly change rooms, physio and medical training and rehabilitation facilities, a team theatre and an ice bath.
A temporary canteen will also be erected and a team merchandising store will be opened.
City of Casey Mayor Cr Susan Serey said this was extremely exciting news for female athletes in Casey and demonstrated the steps Council is taking to increase female participation in sport.
“I can’t wait to see the completed upgrades at Casey Fields, and I am excited about what this means for women’s sport,” Cr Serey said.
“In being successful with this funding, Council has been able to deliver a much-needed facility that will foster more physical activity, and further embed sport within our community.
“These upgrades will provide much needed facilities for elite sportspeople while playing at Casey Fields, including our Melbourne Football Club’s women’s team.”
Following these refurbishments, works will continue for the next stage, which includes a building that will encompass the strength and conditioning centre and indoor training facility. This stage is expected to be unveiled mid-2020.
Cr Serey also encouraged residents to get down and support Casey’s affiliated football team, the Melbourne Football Club, when their women’s side compete at Casey Fields in February and March.
A massive kid’s clinic will precede the season, taking place on Saturday 1 February at Casey Fields from 11.00 am – 12.00 pm. The women’s side will also participate in an open training session on the same day from 9.30 am – 10.30 am.
