A MOUNT Gambier soccer club hopes to score a major funding goal to improve its facilities through a key State Government grassroots community funding program.
International Soccer Club is one of a number of regional community groups expected to nominate projects for the $40m Fund My Neighbourhood initiative, which closes tomorrow.
The popular soccer club has lodged an application to install additional lights at its main soccer ground and develop a secondary training pitch to accommodate growing junior numbers and players from the South East Women’s Football Association.
During the heart of winter, the club’s pint-sized MiniRoos players train in relative darkness each week given there are only two lights operational on the training pitch at Casadio Park.
The improvements will enable the club to host twilight matches, preserve the condition of the ground, partner with the women’s league and give the kids the light they need to play soccer.
Club joint sports director Bert Dimuccio said the club continued to grow in numbers and a new training pitch and additional lighting were desperately needed.
“We have 160 MiniRoos players that train every week and County players, who are part of the club and play in the South East Women’s League, also use our facilities,” Mr Dimuccio said.
“The main soccer ground also has inadequate lighting and each winter the pitch becomes an unplayable, slippery quagmire.”
He said the club continued to attract new players and families, but needed funding to move forward.
“Our lighting is inadequate, which is a safety issue for our players,” Mr Dimuccio said.
“Our training facilities are used every night during the week, Monday to Friday, during the soccer season.”
Mr Dimuccio said he was excited about the new funding program offered by the government given it opened up possible new funding streams for sporting clubs such as International.
Limestone Coast Labor candidate for the Legislative Council Clare Scriven yesterday welcomed the funding application from the International Soccer Club.
Ms Scriven said residents had come up with inspiring ideas to improve local areas.
“I’ve been door-knocking in Mount Gambier to make sure that people know about this opportunity,” Ms Scriven said.
“The ideas that people are contributing are quite diverse, from upgrades to halls and playgrounds to improvements to safety crossings and new lighting at a soccer ground.”
Another idea was for equipment and furniture for a community hub and one resident suggested a performing arts event.
“These are all ideas that could add to our community and our region and I’m sure there are other great ideas out there too,” Ms Scriven said.
Funding is available for projects valued between $10,000 and $150,000 that will improve local neighbourhoods, be accessible to the community and be capable of completion within 12 months.
Ms Scriven urged everyone with ideas to make sure they submit them by tomorrow.
“People have come up with some really good projects and we want to make sure they are considered.”
She urged everyone with ideas for funding to visit www.fundmyneighbourhood.sa.gov.au and put their proposals forward.
