Kicking goals

Friday August 25, 2023

By Charlotte Varcoe

A PROPOSAL for an A-League women's soccer match in Mount Gambier/Berrin has received support from both Mount Gambier City Council and Grant District Council.

The proposal was put forward to both councils during this month's meetings with Grant District Council agreeing to provide up to $10,000 either in cash or in-kind to support the event.

Mount Gambier City Council also provided $6700 in-kind for the event alongside $5000 in cash.

Overall, the initial cost of the match and associated events is estimated between $100,000-$150,000.

As well as both councils supporting the event, it will receive funding from the State Government and the Limestone Coast Football Association.

It is expected the match would be between Adelaide United and Western United and would be held in December.

The game follows the momentum of the FIFA World Cup where the Australian women's team Matilda's gained an incredible following.

The proposal also includes school visits from Adelaide United and Western United team players for up to 600 children, an open training session, free soccer clinics for up to 100 students and a local dinner for guests and supporters with the players.

The game would also be broadcast live with an expected audience of between 3000-4000 on the day.

During his deputation to Grant District Council, Gambier Central Soccer Club president Shane Dycer said if Mount Gambier/Berrin did not secure the game now there would be little chance to secure one in the future.

He told elected members if this event was done well there were further opportunities for other sports such as basketball, swimming and more.

Mount Gambier Mayor Lynette Martin said it was important for the council to support the event, labelling it as a "wonderful opportunity to support women's soccer".

"This is particularly on the back of the Matilda's recent success and national interest in the sport," Ms Martin said.

"It is a fabulous opportunity for our region to have a match of this calibre to be staged here."

She said the event - should it go ahead would bring economic benefits for the Limestone Coast by attracting visitors from both Victoria and South Australia.

"I believe the match will also be televised widely and the benefit that could bring to our region should never be underestimated," she said.

"I also think our perfect position halfway between Melbourne and Adelaide was an incentive as well as soccer being a very popular sport in the region."

Ms Martin said since the success of the Matilda's at the recent FIFA World Cup, soccer had become "even more popular" not only in playing but also as a spectator sport.

"Mount Gambier City Council unanimously voted to support this event and it is fabulous for our regions to be recognised in this way," she said.

"I think it is something we have been aspiring to for some time and given we have fantastic sporting facilities here in Mount Gambier I am pleased we have been recognised in this way."

Ms Martin said she was confident the event would be "well attended" by residents across the Limestone Coast as well as many from both Victoria and South Australia.

Grant District Mayor Kylie Boston also expressed excitement at the proposal by congratulating the Central Soccer Club on working with the local association to bring it to the region.

"I love sport and I love what sport does to its community and the community's wellbeing," Ms Boston said.

"I don't care what variety of sport it is, I just think it is wonderful and usually to see a next level match like this we would have to travel to capital cities.

"It is great to have the ability to do this."

She said having the event locally would also allow for aspiring soccer players to go to the "next level".

"This will also help bring higher sports to the region, we already have the 36ers coming in a few weeks time and we have had pre-season AFL football here already so I think this is great," Ms Boston said.

"I hope it makes those associations realise that regional areas can put on these events and we can showcase it and hopefully get those crowds along."

Ms Boston was also confident the event would draw a large crowd and said the proposal was a great opportunity to watch an elite level of sport.

"Grant District Council are proud to be able to support this and are excited and hope it gets up so we can have it here," she said.

Member for Mount Gambier Troy Bell also commented on the proposal stating there had been a lot of communication with the Minister for Sports and Recreation Katrine Hildyard.

He said this proposal was the start of what was possible in the future for greater sporting events.

"This is the start of what is possible in bringing pinnacle events or premiership points in a range of other sports to our community and this will be the start of proving we can do this," Mr Bell said.

"We can look at other sports we can attract such as SANFL or AFL and a whole range but we need the Shane Dycers on the ground who put it all together from a venue point of view and willing councils to support it.

"We also need a willing community to prove it will be successful."

Mr Bell said it was fantastic for both councils to support the proposal with councils needing to provide support for such events should Mount Gambier/Berrin attract further major sporting events.

"I think we have got very good councils who are community minded and their support is critical because the State Government does not want to be doing things if there is no local support or on ground commitment," he said.

An official decision is expected in the coming weeks.

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