Support crucial in push for facilities

 

Teo Pellizzeri

October 24 2008

Shepparton News

Shepparton's opportunity to rally for better soccer facilities has arrived with the first home game for Goulburn North East in summer zone league being played this Sunday.

Goulburn North East steering committee chairman Frank Trimboli said yesterday the time had come for Shepparton's soccer community to come out and show it was serious about improving the game in the Goulburn Valley.

Football Federation Victoria has previously stated it wants to build international standard training facilities in rural areas _ Trimboli yesterday saying Shepparton's soccer community had to put the city's name at the top of the list.

``If we're ever going to get the government funding for an artificial pitch or stadium, we have to support the Goulburn North East team,'' he said.

``Crowds will contribute to the facility decision-making.

``This team is creating history and uniting this part of Victoria to take on the rest of the state.''

Trimboli said there would be no hiding from what facilities metropolitan Melbourne has to work with as the Goulburn North East team is scheduled to play away games in the summer zone league at some of the state's best venues.

``Our teams are going to play at elite facilities like Epping and Darebin in Melbourne,'' Trimboli said.

``The biggest contribution everyone can make toward Shepparton getting matching facilities will be supporting this team.

``If we all come together at the Goulburn North East matches in Shepparton, the game as a whole in this area will benefit.''

Greater Shepparton City Council mayor Eric Bott said support of the Goulburn North East team was needed to back up player participation.

``Shepparton has had national AFL events and soon bowls and badminton,'' Cr Bott said.

``The challenge for the soccer fraternity is to get behind major events like the summer league games.''