North East Link: Yarra Junior Football League to move to Ford Park, Ivanhoe

Community sports grounds will be overhauled as part of a $68 million package to assist clubs and associations during construction of North East Link. But there’s one big catch.

An artist's impression of the new pavilion to be built at Ford Park in Ivanhoe as part of a $68 million North East Link package. Picture: Supplied.

One of Melbourne’s biggest junior football leagues will be gifted new pavilions in return for its home ground being torn up for North East Link.

The Yarra Junior Football League, which has more than 11,000 registered players, has agreed to move from Bulleen Park to Ford Park in Ivanhoe during construction of the $16 billion road project.

The State Government announced a $68 million package yesterday to upgrade 19 sports grounds in suburbs affected by North East Link before construction begins.

The works include six new pavilions, including one at Ford Park and two for Bulleen Park.

Six new pavilions, including one at Ford Park, will be built for community sport associations to use during construction of the North East Link. Picture: Supplied

But the Bulleen Park pavilions won’t be installed until the North East Link Authority hands back the area when construction of the link finishes in 2027.

The authority did not say which sports associations the two pavilions would be designed for, with Bulleen Park also home to soccer, archery, cricket and aeromodellers clubs.

YJFL chief executive Tim Murray has previously said Ford Park would not be a viable long-term base for the league.

Yarra Junior Football League chief executive Tim Murray and vice-president Ishbel Moodie. Picture: Tim Carrafa

NELA chief executive Duncan Elliott said the authority and the league would continue discussions “in the coming years” about a return to Bulleen Park.

“We have reached agreement with YJFL to move to Ford Park for the construction period of the project, and we are still in negotiations with them about their permanent home,” Mr Elliott said.

Junior footballers are being forced out of Bulleen Park due to North East Link construction. Picture: Jason Edwards

“Whether that be Bulleen or Ford Park, those discussions will continue for quite some time yet.”

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Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan said the government’s package also included funding for improved lighting and female-friendly facilities at grounds.

“We’re doing this work now so we can keep community sport going through the construction phase,” she said.

The YJFL and Mr Murray have been contacted for comment.