Labor to invest millions into complex where Matildas star honed her skills
Labor will invest more than $4m to upgrade Endeavour Park if re-elected, which will include improved lighting and a new excellence facility.
Cairns
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Labor has promised a $4.1m upgrade to Endeavour Park; the field where Matildas’ star Mary Fowler played as a youngster.
Under a re-elected Anthony Albanese government, the upgrade would include a new centre of excellence facility, a female-friendly clubhouse, improved field lighting and a new canteen.
“Endeavour Park is just one of those iconic places in Cairns where legends are born,” ALP candidate for Leichhardt Matt Smith said.
“Mary Fowler honed her skills here before heading off to play for the Matildas on the world stage.
“Everyone has a story from their childhood of playing football down at Endeavour Park,” Mr Smith said.
The Manunda football complex sees more than 2,500 junior football players through its doors weekly, and plays host to a variety of community events, carnivals and Indigenous football programs.
The complex also hosts the Far North Premier League Finals Series and the Football Queensland Academy Program.
Mr Smith and Senator Nita Green said the upgrade would contribute to the growth of soccer in the region and ensure aspiring athletes have the best chance at success.
“Football is the world game and has one of the highest participation rates in the country,” Ms Green said.
“These upgrades will be vital so that girls and boys cannot only enjoy their football but have the best opportunity to become the next Matilda or Socceroo.
“Only a re-elected Albanese Labor Government is investing in grassroots football in Leichhardt.”
On Friday LNP Leichhardt candidate Jeremy Neal said he would match the $4.1m commitment towards the Endeavour Park upgrade.
Sarah Campbell, the regional manager for Football Queensland (FQ) which owns the complex, said FQ was “ecstatic” with the announcement.
“(The complex) is in desperate need of light poles … and we’ve got a field surface that’s been really hanging in there,” Ms Campbell said.
“We’re doing the best we can to upkeep it, but having this kind of cash injection is unbelievable.
“We can’t wait to build what will be an amazing facility.”
Ms Campbell said the upgrade would help foster development.
“As you can see from the kids behind me, you are looking at your future Matildas and Socceroos right here,” she said.
“They need world-class facilities and now Cairns can be one of those places, because we’re already punching above our weight when it comes to the academy kids that we’re sending and are representing our state.
“We want that to be them representing our country, so with the upcoming Olympics we just want to be able to send these kids … to represent Cairns and Australia.”
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