Brunswick Junior FC’s future growth in doubt after grant snub

A fast-growing Brunswick junior football club says it will have to reject new players after a “flimsy reason” saw it denied council cash to put towards a legally required key piece of equipment at its run-down home ground.

(L-R) Monty, Pranav, Daniel, Archie and Cesar hope for better facilities at their club. Picture: James Ross

A booming junior football club says it will have to turn away new players after Moreland Council refused to help pay for benches required under league laws.

The Brunswick Junior Football Club has nearly 400 players on its books, including 86 girls — a 54 per cent rise on last year.

Under Yarra Junior Football League match day rules, the ground must have two coach benches, and bench space for up to six players.

But the neglected Clifton Park venue, which hosts matches up to under-10 level, doesn’t have the benches.

In fact, it doesn’t even have a toilet or change rooms.

(L-R) Eleanor and Beth Scott, Julia, Domenic Perrone and Eleanor at Clifton Park. Picture: James Ross

Players and spectators are forced to cross busy Victoria St to use the public toilets and if parents want shelter they have to put up gazebos before the game.

Yet despite the desperate lack of facilities, the council knocked back the club’s $15,384 grant application towards the $27,000 coach boxes, saying it was cashed up enough to pay for the benches itself.

Julia, Eleanor and Eleanor love their footy. Picture: James Ross

The council’s community development director Arden Joseph said the club’s profit and loss statement up to September 30 this year shows a net profit of $54,724.

MORE NEWS: TRADERS FEEL PINCH OF COUNCIL WORKS

APOLOGY, OFFICIAL TOLL NEXT STEPS ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: ACTIVIST

PUB DREAM TEAM MOVES JUST 200M DOWN SYDNEY RD

But club president Beth Scott said the finance statement was handed over just after annual registration money had been collected.

“We’re disappointed they looked at our money and decided that was a reason to deny us the grant … it’s a pretty flimsy reason without consulting us,” she said.

“The kids have said it would be great to have better facilities, but they don’t know what they don’t have.”

The council previously committed funding for goals and a net at the venue, as well as contributed to lights at Clifton Park.

The council and the club will meet in coming weeks.