Cade Lucas
Western United lost 3-1 to Newcastle Jets in their A-League women’s clash on Sunday, the club’s first game at their Tarneit home.
It might’ve been a disappointing way for such a historic day to end, but not according to Western United chairman Jason Sourasis.
“It’s just awesome to be in here,” he said, remaining positive in defeat. And defiant.
“It’s great just to see so many people here in the community and actually stick it up a few people.”
It might seem an odd thing to say after an unexpected defeat, but it’s the venue, not the result, that had Sourasis doing his best Ted Whitten impersonation.
Six years after being awarded an A-League licence on the back of plans to build their own privately funded stadium in Tarneit, the delays, missed deadlines and array of temporary homes Western United had in the meantime, left many doubting the stadium and the entire club’s future.
And while the Regional Football Facility which hosted Sunday’s game will only be its training base in the future, Sourasis said the fact Western United could now play home games in the west, was still hugely significant.
“This our home now, this is our area,” he said looking over the playing field to the acres of dusty construction site beyond that will eventually become a 10,000 seat stadium and residential development.
“There’s gonna be 100,000 people living within two kilometres of the main stadium within the next five to seven years. So if we can’t pack out a 10,000 seat stadium, we’ve done something wrong.”
Sunday’s crowd of 2000 suggests attracting five times that when the main stadium is complete in two years, mightn’t be too far fetched.
Temporary seating will be available for the first men’s game, with a crowd of 4000 anticipated for the fixture, likely to be on April 6.
Those who attended Sunday’s game seemed impressed by the facility, even those supporting the opposition.
“I’m supporting the Jets today because I have a family member on the team,” said Cranbourne’s Kate Crawford sitting at the top of the grandstand while the pre-match entertainment took place on the field below.
“It’s great for all of the fans to be able to come together and sit in a shaded environment and be exposed to great entertainment. This is amazing.”
Crawford would have been even more pleased at half time when the Jets unexpectedly led 2-1.
Lining up at one of the many food trucks during the break, Star Weekly spoke to Aaron and Claire Zhang from Williams Landing who came to the game with their two teenage sons.
“It’s like a dream come true, it’s incredible,” said Claire Zhang of the new venue.
Aaron Zhang, it turns out, is the vice president of the Asian Business Association of Wyndham and a supporter of Western United since their inception. He never doubted the Tarneit stadium would happen.
“We were always kept updated by the club.”
After the break, Western United couldn’t muster a revival, conceding another goal to lose 3-1.
But speaking post-match, long serving player Alana Cerne said it wasn’t through a lack of support.
“We weren’t expecting something like this,” she said of the crowd and occasion.
“I think we rocked up at about 12 o’clock and it was already full here, the car park was full, everything was packed.”
Cerne said it wouldn’t be long before home defeats become a rarity.
“It wasn’t the result that we wanted, but I feel like we are at home now and we’ll keep building from this.”
