Soccer clubs want council to address the lack of facilities

SOCCER players in Melbourne’s east say they face being left without training and playing facilities in the wake of the North East Link project and aren’t getting a fair go from Manningham Council.

SOCCER players say they’re not getting a fair go from Manningham Council as they face being left without training and playing facilities in the wake of the North East Link project.

It’s feared Bulleen Park could be demolished as part of the project, leaving the Bulleen Lions, Templestowe United and Manningham United without a home base as early as 2020.

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Frank Freschi, secretary of the Veneto Club which manages the Bulleen Lions, said clubs were calling on the council to address the lack of sports facilities.

“We are seeing the numbers of kids wanting to play growing much faster, while we have faced an absolute shortage of ovals in Manningham for the last three to four years,” he said.

A possible lifeline looms in the form of the proposed redevelopment of the Yarra Valley Country Club but State Government approvals will need to come through.

Veneto Club sports development manager David Del Monaco said the shortage of facilities needed to be addressed as soon as possible.

“The situation is incredibly urgent and we need to start taking action now,” Mr Del Monaco said.

The clubs will hold a public meeting at the Veneto Club on Monday, July 16 from 7pm to update members on the situation.