The G21 sporting community is rejoicing the State Government’s $600k boost to local sporting facilities.

Barwon Soccer Club has received $400k towards its sporting club rooms, while Highton Tennis Club has received $200K towards a new pavilion.

The 300 member strong Barwon Soccer Club is set to say goodbye to its tin shed clubrooms thanks to a $400k State Government funding boost and matching funding from City of Greater Geelong towards new change rooms at Grovedale Recreation Reserve in Barwon Heads.

Member for South Barwon Andrew Katos today (18 January, 2012) made the announcement, part of the State Government’s 2010 election commitments.

“Local clubs are the heart of communities providing an important place for people to get together to share their love of sport and get more active more often,” Mr Katos said.

“This funding boost ensures the club can continue doing the great job it does in bringing together players and supporters from right across the South Barwon area, including Highton, Grovedale, Belmont, Waurn Ponds and Wandana Heights to enjoy soccer,” he said.

“Once complete, the new pavilion will provide a much needed space featuring modern amenities more appropriate for the growing numbers of women and juniors wanting to get involved either as players, fans, or volunteers at the club,” Mr Katos said.

“It’s not just local soccer that benefits, local schools and community groups will have access to the new pavilion facilities for sports carnivals, fundraisers, recreation, meetings and other get togethers,” he said.

“By improving the quality of local reserves, the Government is providing more opportunity for grassroots clubs to expand their memberships, get more people together and involved in the sports they love,” Mr Katos said.

Mr Katos commended the City of Greater Geelong for its contribution of $470k to the project.

City of Greater Geelong Cr Andy Richards, who represents Buckley Ward, said soccer participation rates were increasing.

"Whenever I am at Barwon Soccer Club’s and there are kids everywhere kicking soccer balls – it’s a booming sport."

"The synthetic soccer pitch installed by Council at Grovedale Recreation Reserve has been very popular with locals."

"Council is partnering with the State Government in building the new pavilion, which will be the second part of this major project."

"The club has been using an old portable building with just one room as both their social and change rooms, so they're happy to be finally getting their own brand new change rooms."

"The City of Greater Geelong is a big supporter of our local sports clubs and we're pleased to co-fund the new pavilion."

Meanwhile, Mr Katos has also announced that Geelong’s second largest tennis club, Highton is getting set for a bigger and better pavilion thanks to a $200,000 State Government funding boost.

 “The Highton Tennis courts are one of Geelong’s busiest tennis facilities hosting over 350 members, as well as local and regional competitions and popular junior development programs like Hot Shots,” Mr Katos said.

“With more and more community members, from seniors to juniors, looking to have a hit on the courts, the proposed new pavilion will go a long way towards helping the club to accommodate even more people and bigger and better tennis events.

“That’s why projects like these are so important. They inject new life into regional sports; ensuring even more people can get active, more often and involved in sports at Victorian clubs,” he said.

The proposed pavilion development includes the demolition of the existing social rooms and the construction of a new pavilion featuring accessible modern amenities and function rooms to cater for an even larger and more diverse membership base.

“By investing in grassroots venues like Highton Tennis Club we can ensure local communities have access to quality facilities that provide for the growing needs of their sports for years to come,” Mr Katos said.

Mr Katos acknowledged the City of Geelong for contributing $550k towards the project as well as the Highton Tennis Club for its $100k contribution towards the project.

City of Greater Geelong Cr Ron Nelson who represents Deakin Ward said Highton Tennis Club's current pavilion was small and out dated.

"This much needed redevelopment will bring the pavilion up to today's standards so that it can cater for the Club's growing membership base."

"Highton Tennis Club is one of the biggest tennis clubs in the region with more than 350 members. When you add into the equation partners, family and friends, this new pavilion will directly benefit many hundreds if not thousands of local people."

"The club plays an important role in connecting the community and encouraging people to get active, so the City is happy to help fund this new pavilion,” Cr Nelson said.