This evening I was invited to launch the new lights at Dorset Reserve, home of the Croydon City Arrows Soccer Club.  The Club was founded in 1957 and hosts men, women and junior teams.  The lights, which were installed in a partnership between the Club, Maroondah City Council and the State Government, will enable the Club to host evening and night games, ensuring that they can continue to meet the growing demand in Soccer.

Maroondah City Council contributed $28,000 towards this project, due to the growing demand for Soccer facilities, as  identified in the 2009 – 2013 Leisure Services Strategic Plan.  The speech I delivered during the opening is included within this post:

Good evening and welcome to the opening of the Dorset Reserve Croydon City Soccer Club Lights.

In the spirit of Reconciliation, we acknowledge that we are meeting on land for which the Wurundjeri people have been custodians for many centuries, and on land which the Indigenous Australians have performed age old ceremonies.

On behalf of the Maroondah community I would like to thank the Minister for Sport, Recreation and Youth Affairs, the Honourable James Merlino MP for his attendance here today.

I would also like to welcome:

• Mr David Hodgett MLA, Member for Kilsyth
• Mr Frank Dixon, the CEO of Maroondah City Council.

I am pleased to see so many participants and committee members from the Croydon City Arrows Soccer Club here today.    I would also like to welcome members of the Maroondah Social Darts Association who also make use of this facility.

This facility is home to Croydon City Arrows Soccer Club, who provide competition to many teams including men, women, boys and girls.  The Club has over 450 members with ages ranging from as young as six through to 45 plus.  It is great to see such significant numbers participating in competition within the Club.

The project was first identified through the Eastern Regional Soccer Strategy as a high priority and I would like to thank the Croydon City Arrows Soccer Club for initiating the application to Sport and Recreation Victoria for this upgrage.

Council’s 2009 – 2013 Leisure Services Strategic Plan confirms the assertions within the Eastern Regional Soccer Strategy that soccer participation rates are continuing to increase in Maroondah and that the upgrade and redevelopment of soccer facilities to meet current and projected future demand is critical.

The provision of lighting will now open up new winter training opportunities for both junior and senior teams.  The lighting will enable the ground to be used to it’s full potential, with teams being able to train on all parts of the ground as well as competing in night matches at their home ground.

On behalf of Council and the facility users, I would like to extend our sincere thanks to the State Government for its contribution. Without their support of approximately $44,000 this project would not have been possible. Maroondah City Council also contributed approximately $28,000 towards the project, demonstrating our commitment to the provision of high quality facilities to enhance local sport. I would also like to acknowledge approximately $24,000 that was contributed to the project by Croydon City Arrows Soccer Club.

On behalf of Council I also extend our sincere thanks to the Committee and Club for their dedication in working with Council to see the project to its conclusion.

Congratulations to you all for your commitment.