Russell Square Upgrade State Election Campaign

Help Improve Soccer Facilities at Russell Square

Ballarat North United Soccer Club and soccer across the whole Greater Ballarat league continues to grow, but our facilities have not kept pace. We are asking Eureka candidates to support investment in better soccer infrastructure at Russell Square including pitches, drainage, benches and shelters for our winter sport.

A master plan exists with City of Ballarat, which continues to be delayed due to lack of funding. However the growth of the club and the sport is not slowing down and we need these upgrades to support football accessibility for children of all abilities, the growth of women and girls in sport, and senior football pathways.

As a grassroots club we need YOU, our community, to rally behind us to garner the support of our elected representatives and help improve the facilities for everyone.

Your email will be sent to all Eureka candidates:

Michaela Settle (Labor)
Emma Muir (Liberal)
Sam McColl (Greens)
Paul Ballinger (One Nation)
Andy Raven (Victorian Socialists)
Wendy Morrison (Animal Justice Party)

Your Name Your Email Address Email Subject Share Your Personal Experience (Optional) Your Letter (Fully Editable)

Dear Candidate for Eureka,

I am writing as a member of Ballarat North United Soccer Club to ask for your support for improved soccer pitches at Russell Square in Brown Hill.

Soccer participation continues to grow, particularly among children, young people, and women and girls. However, our existing facilities are struggling to keep pace with demand.

Our community needs safe, reliable and fit-for-purpose soccer pitches, supported by appropriate drainage, bench seating, shelters and long-term planning. Better facilities would reduce disruptions to our season, including training and match cancellations or costly relocations, support participation growth for developmental pathways, women, girls and children of all abilities, and give local clubs the capacity to provide accessible community sport.

Community sport supports physical and mental wellbeing, strengthens social connection and gives children and young people a place to belong. Investment in soccer facilities is an investment in local families and the wider community.

A Roadmap for Recreation Infrastructure has been developed by the City of Ballarat, detailing potential dates for the Russell Square upgrades. However, initial design phases have already been delayed due to a lack of funding, which we have been informally advised may be in the vicinity of $4 million. https://www.ballarat.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-09/Recreation%20Infrastructure%20Plan%202024-2039.pdf

I ask that you commit to supporting practical investment in improved soccer facilities for Ballarat and the Eureka electorate.

I would appreciate hearing your position on this issue and what action you would support if elected.

Kind regards,

[Your Name]

Note: Clicking the button will open your email application with the message ready to review and send. The email will be sent from your own email account directly to all Eureka candidates.

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Media Interest:

31,000 Facebook Views after our U16s were cancelled less than half way into a Sunday match!

Seniors can't train here, but there is nowhere else available for them to train under lights within a reasonable travel distance, kids are covered in mud and training regularly cancelled to try and keep the muddy conditions under control for Sunday matches, or coaches forced to find any green spots without access to proper goals and limited space for kids to practice properly! Weather is beyond our control, but drainage and pitch surfaces CAN be controlled.

Link to The Courier who followed up our story after this reel went viral.

Also thanks to Steve Martin and the team at ABC Ballarat for discussing this with us live to air, and their past and ongoing support for all things football!

Help Improve Soccer Facilities at Russell Square

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Media Interest:

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