New grand final venue bid

September 8 2009

Shepparton News

Soccer's biggest day in the Goulburn Valley is on the move after Goulburn North East Football Association president Frank Trimboli confirmed yesterday his administration was eyeing Tatura Park as the grand final venue.

The association announced nearby venue Howley Oval as the grand final host last month, but concerns about accommodating a large number of fans has forced a rethink.

The association will meet with Greater Shepparton City Council this week to iron out plans for grand final day, September 20, with the possibility of splitting grand final matches between both Tatura Park and Howley Oval.

Tatura Park was initially ruled out as the grand final venue after concerns about the state of the second field, the one not used for Goulburn Valley Football League play.

Council's manager of recreation and parks Brendan Gosstray said equestrian events on the second field had left it completely unsuitable for soccer matches.

But the prospect of using Howley Oval as a second ground only, rather than using both its pitches, has Tatura Park in line to host grand final day's feature games.

Trimboli said the changerooms, public facilities and availability of the Ballantyne Centre had all been factors influencing the association's decision to take a second look at using Tatura Park.

"We also don't want to cram fans into Howley Oval and the crowds the first two finals have had indicated we might need a bigger venue," he said.

Only Shepparton United, Shepparton South and Kialla United have teams qualified for grand finals to date, but this weekend's round of preliminary finals will qualify teams from two of Shepparton, Cobram Victory and Tatura if not at least one grade from all three clubs.

Gosstray said council's top priority was ensuring a quality experience for both players and spectators at the grand final and what games were played where was ultimately the league's call.

Trimboli said at this stage he was leaning towards a split of five games at Tatura Park and two at Howley Oval, but the exact details could not be confirmed until after Friday's meeting.