Football Victoria sells Dorcas St HQ to build new pitch at Matilda’s Bundoora home

Football Victoria has sold its former Melbourne headquarters amid a feud with suburban clubs who have accused the game’s governing body of financial mismanagement and excessive fees.

Artist impression of Home of the Matildas building.

Football Victoria has sold its former Melbourne headquarters amid a spat with grassroots clubs who have accused the game’s governing body of financial mismanagement and excessive fees.

A three-storey commercial building at 236-238 Dorcas St, South Melbourne that was owned by FV for at least 26 years was sold for an “undisclosed amount” last week.

It came days after the body made several changes to its constitution at a special general meeting in Melbourne.

In a statement, FV said part of the proceeds would be spent building a fifth pitch at the “Home of the Matildas” – the Bundoora-based State Football Centre opened this year after more than $101m of state and $15m of federal government funding.

“The sale … allows FV to invest directly into projects that support our football ecosystem and the wider football community in Victoria,” it said.

The remaining capital raised from the sale would form part of a new “Football Victoria Future Fund”.

“The fund will be governed by a combination of independent trustees and two appropriately qualified current directors; and will sit independent of the Football Victoria Board,” it said.

The Herald Sun revealed up to 40 clubs had been unable to meet their financial obligations to FV in the past year, with a record combined debt of almost $2m and the prospect of being suspended next year.

The issue is expected to be raised at an annual general meeting next month.

The proceeds of the sale will go towards a fifth pitch at the “Home of the Matildas” – the Bundoora-based State Football Centre. Picture: Wayne Taylor

FV, which is now based at the Home of The Matildas’, was not able to say if any funds from the South Melbourne sale would be used to reduce registration fees and operating costs at community clubs.

“The funds will be governed by strict guidelines as to their investment and any prospective access,” it said.

“It is intended that the FVFF will accumulate to an agreed amount and only the income generated will be allocated towards operating expenses.”

It said the sale price of its South Melbourne offices, FV headquarters from 1997 to 2004, was being kept secret “at the request of the purchaser”.

Asked why Victoria had the highest registration fees in Australia, it said participants pay a combination of funds to FV, Football Australia and individual clubs.

“Clubs set their own fees for player registration with the majority of these fees retained by the club,” it said.

“Each club’s fee structure is different as it incorporates pitch hire, coach fees, uniforms and other associated costs.”

Constitutional changes made included transitioning from an incorporated association to company limited by guarantee, a revised board structure and membership shake ups.