Soccer boss calls on councils to upgrade sports facilities while no one is using them

Tasmania’s soccer chief is calling on councils to upgrade local sports facilities while grounds, changing rooms and spectator areas aren’t being used.

Football Tasmania CEO Matt Bulkeley. Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS

TWO months after sticking the boots into the State Government over the inequitable carve-up of sports funding, Football Tasmania boss Matt Bulkeley has called on councils to give “high priority” to sporting infrastructure upgrades when applying for $150 million worth of interest free-loans from the state’s COVID-19 stimulus package.

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Bulkeley believes facility upgrades would not only provide financial stimulus during the COVID-19-related economic downturn, they would also generate improved facilities for local sporting competitions, and particularly soccer.

“While all community sports have been hit hard by COVID-19, a silver lining exists in the opportunity to upgrade facilities at a time when grounds, changing rooms and spectator areas aren’t being used for sports,” Bulkeley said.

NPL Tasmania match between South Hobart v Kingborough Lions from the KGV soccer ground. Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS

In February, Bulkeley released Football Tasmania’s annual State of Play report, which revealed that soccer had the most participants of all sports in Tasmania, with 38,086 locals playing the world game, significantly great numbers compared to AFL football’s 22,184.

But when it came to financial hand-outs, the State Government injected $8.5 million into AFL in Tasmania and soccer gets $350,000

Bulkeley wants councils to do their share for sporting facilities.

“Not only will these upgrades provide a boost to jobs and the economy, but grassroots sport will be in a position to bounce back stronger than ever after the pandemic and return to providing the community health and social benefits which have been sorely missed over these past few months,” Bulkeley said.

“Football Tasmania has been communicating with councils across the state regarding a number of shovel-ready projects that we believe will deliver the most community benefit if pushed forward.

“From a football perspective, many venues across the state have been in need of infrastructure upgrades for far too long with inadequate changing facilities and insufficient access to playing surfaces acting as the major barriers.

“I would encourage all councils to make the most of this opportunity to upgrade sporting facilities and help turn a negative situation into a big future positive for the community.

“Doing so will pave the way for community sport to help Tasmanians get back to the normal, healthy life we know and love once the time is right.”