The 2026 state election likely to be targeted for funding for regional soccer hub plan

As Geelong soccer deals with a surge of almost 200 per cent in participation, a new report reveals the extent of the challenges the sport is facing locally on and off the pitch.

Football Geelong chairman Mike McKinstry met with Football Victoria, councillor Eddy Kontelj and local MP Ella George recently. Picture: Eddy Kontelj.

The 2026 state election is likely to be targeted for funding for a proposed regional soccer facility in north Geelong amid a near 180 per cent increase in local participation over the past decade.

Talks have progressed regarding a proposed facility between Football Victoria, Football Geelong, local MP Ella George and City of Greater Geelong councillor Eddy Kontelj, discussing the “significant growth of the world game” in the region and the need for a new facility in the north.

This masthead revealed in May the local council’s plans for a new facility which could cater for up to 5000 people and host international fixtures and A-League games.

A new Football Geelong and Football Victoria report, State of Play, revealed a near 180 per cent increase in participation since 2014 to last year and a 276 per cent increase in female participation over the same period.

The “playing field deficit” also grew from 19 a decade ago to 32, the report revealed.

“A playing field deficit in a growing local government area (like Geelong) restricts access to sport and recreation, limiting youth participation, social inclusion and community wellbeing,” the report revealed.

Football Geelong is working on a plan for a new regional soccer hub in the north of the city. Picture: Football Geelong.

Meanwhile, the number of MiniRoos players have shot from less than 1000 in 2014 to almost 3000 last year while the number of senior players – aged 19 to 35 – has gone from about 700 to nearly 1500.

The report highlighted the design and planning and finalisation of a primary site was stage one of a “long term vision” before a masterplan is established.

Football Geelong chairman Mike McKinstry said it was alarming that major regional centres like Ballarat, Bendigo, Albury, Shepparton and others had facilities to host major tournaments but Geelong didn’t.

He said the Western United Cup, a new girls-only tournament in October, was being held in Ballarat as there wasn’t an appropriate location in Geelong.

“Every other regional city in Victoria has a regional soccer facility already, and with the Geelong region being larger in player numbers, we need to stop being small minded in Geelong and get this important strategic investment in place,” McKinstry said.

“It’s probably in the north, probably close to access to the freeway and that way it’s accessible for people from Melbourne and other regions.

“We’re missing out on events we could be hosting here.

“We’ve breathed some life back into (the plan).

A render from one of City of Greater Geelong's proposed soccer hub. Picture: City of Greater Geelong.

“Then we’ll be looking to try and make it a 2026 election issue for the State Government.

“It’s early days yet and it might take some years before it’s implemented.”

McKinstry said $200,000 would be needed for engineering work and to understand what kind of budget would be needed for a new regional hub, with over 7000 people playing soccer in the region each week.

“The growth in the game has outstripped any previous council estimates,” McKinstry said.

“They estimated certain growth levels for 2030 and 2040 and we’ve already surpassed the 2040 numbers.

“Last year was a big movement of 20-plus per cent overall.

“We thought it would plateau for a year or two, but it hasn’t.

“In the region we’ve got a lot of young families moving in and they’re gravitating towards soccer.”

Cr Kontelj said a new facility would be a “gamechanger” for the region and was appreciated the support of MP Ella George.

The State of Play report highlighted a massive increase in soccer participation – there was a 25 per cent in overall participation over the past 12 months – but also ongoing concerns with local pitch conditions and inadequate drainage, match official facilities and lighting.

Fifty per cent of surfaces at soccer facilities in the City of Greater Geelong are poor or very poor, while a third have inadequate drainage systems or lighting and poor or very poor match official facilities.

Almost 30 per cent of facilities have poor or very poor change rooms.

Originally published as The 2026 state election likely to be targeted for funding for regional soccer hub plan