MORE cricket and football ovals are needed to boost participation and accommodate population growth, a draft strategy released by Wyndham Council states.
The sports strategy aims to create a blueprint for the future provision of sporting facilities.
WHAT DO YOU THINK? SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS STORY TO POST A COMMENT.
The report recommends that 21 cricket and 26 football ovals need to be built to cope with demand. It indicates that 17 ovals with cricket capabilities should be built in central Werribee, with Point Cook and Wyndham West needing 12 and 26 ovals respectively.
The report also recommends 20 football ovals be built in Wyndham North, three in the Werribee Employment Precinct and 12 in central Werribee.
The council’s chief executive Kerry Thompson said new ovals were needed to ensure participation was encouraged at all levels.
“The strategy provides clear direction for the provision of elite-level services to ensure Wyndham City can accommodate the highest level of cricket and football as it continues to grow into a city of more than 400,000 people.”
Participation in football has grown by 68per cent since 2002, with 2615 adults and 3066 children taking part.
Cricket participation has also grown, with 1066 adults and 811 children playing.
The strategy notes there is room for growth in both sports.
Wyndham Vale Auskick co-ordinator Rob Sayers said Auskick centres were encouraging as many children as possible to play by aligning with junior football clubs.
He said his centre’s alliance with Wyndham Vale Football Club made it easier to attract players because younger siblings of junior players became interested in the game.
Ms Thompson said Wyndham cricket and AFL teams often struggled to attract players because there were less ovals per head than in established suburbs.
The strategy is available for public comment until Wednesday of next week. Visit wyndham.vic.gov.au.
