Football Gold Coast concede state of local fields is affecting the quality of its competitions
FOOTBALL Gold Coast general manager Damien Bresic admits the quality of their competitions is suffering as clubs grapple with the declining state of their fields.
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FOOTBALL Gold Coast general manager Damien Bresic admits the quality of their competitions is suffering as clubs grapple with the declining state of their Gold Coast City Council-maintained fields.
The long-running battle between Council and a number of clubs over the state of Coast football fields came to a head last month when Surfers Paradise’s Lex Bell Oval playing surface was described as “a mess” and like being “in Syria” following a Premier League fixture against Palm Beach.
Coomera president Alan McFarlane, whose club is the biggest on the Coast with more than 800 players, is the latest to air his concerns, describing Viney Park as “like the Sahara Desert”.
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While he conceded some of the problems — such as lack of rainfall — were out of Council’s control, McFarlane said improved communication and maintenance, as well as limiting public use, would help the issue.
“Each club has a different issue and how it should be attacked by Council. We’re the largest club on the Gold Coast but probably have the worst facilities,” he said.
“We share our ground but one of my biggest things is … Coomera State School jump the fence every day and come and play on our fields and we’re still the ones paying for the right to use and manage the fields as best we can. You’re never going to stop that because they have a right (to use it) but it just comes down to better maintenance.
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“(Council) won’t water the grounds because they say there is no grass but even if they put water on the dirt it would at least compact it. I’m no expert but I have been around long enough to understand a few things.”
Bresic sympathised with Council, admitting there was “no perfect solution”.
“The quality of our fields definitely affects the quality of the play. Rip the felt on a billiard table down the middle and ask Eddie Charlton to play on it and see how he goes,” Bresic said.
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“Brisbane City Council and Logan (Council) allows clubs to maintain their own fields. So if they want to go down that path, who pays for it? Do we need to upgrade lights for Surfers for their outer areas so we can limit use of the main field?
“In our opinion the city needs to investigate synthetic fields.”
Council has previously said they were “aware of concerns raised by (Surfers Paradise)”.
“The fields at this precinct will receive a full renovation in September as per the annual maintenance schedule,” a spokesperson said.