Doors are wide open at new home for clubs

By Teo Pellizzeri

October 9 2007

Shepparton News

Vibert Reserve is being touted as a potential home ground for Shepparton's soccer clubs as its new training rooms and facilities are put to the test during cricket season.

Shepparton and Shepparton United are currently ground-sharing with football clubs Rumbalara and Shepparton East, while Shepparton South calls McEwen Reserve home.

At Wednesday night's North East zone soccer meeting a question about facilities shortage was answered by Greater Shepparton City Councillor Eric Bott who said Vibert Reserve would be empty in winter.

Bott said soccer institutions looking to use the grounds and facilities at Vibert Reserve would be actively encouraged, be it Shepparton Junior Soccer Association, an existing Shepparton-based North Eastern Soccer League club or even a new club.

"It's been a big project down there with the change rooms and facilities and cricket will only use it for half the year," Bott said.

"Who is going to use it for the rest? It's a real opportunity, there are four grounds there."

Bott said North Eastern league's venture to Deakin Reserve during this year's finals meant clubs had enjoyed quality facilities.

"We've just had soccer at Deakin Reserve, if you put in structures you can use the facilities more than once or twice a week and more than six months of the year," he said.

"The parties involved have spent half a million dollars at Vibert Reserve, it's a new facility that could become anything, if we can harness what is going on in soccer that's better for the council, we want use out of our facilities."