Thursday, 17 March, 2016 LABOR GOVERNMENT GETTING ON WITH THE JOB OF UPGRADING ELSTERNWICK PARK The Andrews Labor Government is getting on with the job of upgrading the home of Australia’s largest amateur football league, the Victorian Amateur Football Association. Minister for Sport John Eren today announced a $3 million funding package to transform Elsternwick Park into a state-of-the-art football hub the whole community can enjoy. The project will create new change rooms for players, including dedicated women’s rooms, as well as umpires’ facilities. It includes a canteen, public toilets, and ground resurfacing works. The upgrade will create administration offices the growing league needs, and become the home base for the VAFA’s women’s competition that will begin in 2017. Women are joining grassroots footy in record numbers. VAFA clubs Melbourne University and La Trobe University already have women’s teams, and 70 Monash University Students have already flagged their interest in joining a side. The VAFA is planning a women’s match curtain raiser at all senior matches during a round in May. Elsternwick Park will remain the home of the VAFA Umpires Association, but with better facilities for aspiring whistle-blowers to learn their trade. The Labor Government’s investment will create a Women’s Umpiring Academy, for aspiring female umpires to launch their career. Mr Eren also announced the flagship venue would become home to the Old Melburnians Football Club, who have made way from Junction Oval so that construction of the $25 million Victorian Cricket and Community Centre can begin. The Old Melburnians are arriving at Elsternwick Park at the perfect time, as the club begins its first A Grade campaign in five years. Victoria is the home of Australian Rules and the sporting capital of the world, and the Labor Government wants it to remain that way. The Government’s $100 million Community Sports Infrastructure Fund is helping grassroots clubs all over Victoria update tired grounds and build the facilities they need. The project is being delivered in partnership with the Bayside City Council, the VAFA, the AFL, AFL Victoria and the Old Melburnians Football Club. Quotes attributable to Minister for Sport John Eren “Women are joining footy in record numbers. The VAFA is embarking on a women’s competition, and we’re giving players the base they deserve.” “Umpires are an integral part of the game. The VAFA Women’s Umpiring Academy will encourage more young women to pick up the whistle and embark on an umpiring career.” Quotes attributable to Member for Southern Metropolitan Region Philip Dalidakis “At a time when the health risk of obesity is growing, investing in public sporting facilities for our local community has never been more important.” Media Contact: Patrick Lane 0437 884 010 | [email protected] .