By Jena Carr
Geelong and Surf Coast sporting clubs will score new and upgraded community sports facilities, thanks to state government funding.
Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence announced on May 21 that Stead Park, home of the Geelong Hockey Association, would receive upgrades through the state government’s Regional Sport Infrastructure Package.
Banyul-Warri Fields, home of the Torquay Tornadoes, Armstrong Creek, and Waurn Ponds, will also receive new sporting facilities through the investment.
Minister Spence said the venues were originally chosen for the Commonwealth Games and have been retained for the community, with work set to begin on the Torquay project later this year.
“The Geelong and the Surf Coast communities deserve the quality facilities that they need and that they can be proud of,” she said.
“Stead Park has built a really strong reputation as a premier hockey venue in the Geelong region and… I’m very pleased to say that this will only get better now.
“I’d like to see them (facilities) all completed by 2026. The first one we’ll see will be Torquay, and we’ll keep the community updated on those milestones as we move forward.
“The state government continues to invest in projects that deliver on and improve community sports infrastructure that boost gender equality and encourage Victorians to really get out there.
“I know that these upgrades will see a huge boost in hockey participation in Torquay and combined with the upgrades here at Stead Park, we’re really looking at a huge uplift right across the region.”
Geelong Hockey Association vice president Graeme Dent said the hockey community had more than 600 players and 3500 community members.
“Our youngest member is four years old and the oldest is 75 years. It’s a game for boys, girls, men and women and is an inclusive game,” he said.
“It’s the most significant event in hockey in Geelong in 111 years and the biggest investment in our sport and town in Geelong and Torquay.
“This facility at Stead Park will enable us to bring state and national championships right here, an economic boom for our city and will no doubt grow the game.”
Torquay Tornadoes Hockey Club president Andrew Crowley said the announcement of the new hockey facilities at Banyul-Warri Fields was a “very emotional day” for the club.
“We’ve worked very hard to grow the club, but we’ve had some tremendous support…and we really appreciate it. We will make a commitment to grow the game of hockey in the Surf Coast,” he said.
Visit sport.vic.gov.au for more information, with further project updates to be provided in the coming months.
