Victoria Park to light up

Published on 01 March 2024

Netballers and footballers at Victoria Park in Daylesford will be able to play and practice into the evening thanks to a funding grant recently secured by Hepburn Shire Council.

Sport and Recreation Victoria’s Country Football & Netball Program will contribute $250,000 to light up the netball court and football oval, with works completed in time for next years’ sporting season. Council will contribute almost $170,000, along with a contribution of $20,000 from the Daylesford Football Netball Club.

Mayor, Cr Brian Hood, said that sport and sporting clubs are an important part of life in our regional towns.

“We are very grateful for this funding, which will go a long way to helping the Club to get more people involved in their activities. Promoting a healthy active lifestyle and bringing communities together is a priority for Council, and improving sporting infrastructure certainly helps this,” said Cr Hood.

“Better lighting will improve safety for players and allow more flexible programming of training and games, along with greater participation.”

“Council conducted an audit on sports lighting across the Shire in 2022.  Newlyn Recreation Reserve was identified as a top priority and funding was secured.  This project is now underway.  We are working through funding opportunities for the upgrade of lights at sports facilities in the rest of the Shire,” said Cr Hood.

Carson White, Daylesford Football Netball Club President, said that securing this Country Football Netball grant is a huge win for the Club.

“Our participation numbers have doubled in the last seven years and the club is growing quickly. The installation of these lights will only further enhance the appeal and encourage greater participation at our club. More importantly it will also improve the training and playing experience for all our existing football and netball teams,” said Carson.

“On behalf of the entire club, we thank Hepburn Shire Council for supporting and submitting the application and of course the Victoria State Government for the grant,” he said.

The Country Football & Netball Program is delivered in partnership with the AFL, AFL Victoria and Netball Victoria. The program provides funding to assist regional football and netball clubs, associations and umpiring organisations to upgrade and develop facilities in rural, regional and outer metropolitan locations.

The new lighting will be installed prior to the 2025 football/netball season.