20 August, 2016

The mighty Drouin Hawks Football Netball Club has an even brighter future ahead with today’s launch of new lighting design at Drouin Recreational Reserve.

Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing officially flicked the switch to the new $153,000 lights during the Hawks’ last home game against Sale before finals.

Local sports clubs like the Hawks are the heart and soul of our regional towns and the Andrews Labor Government giving them the facilities they need.

The Labor Government’s Country Football Netball Program has provided $80,000 to upgrade the oval’s lighting, including new poles, 100 lux lights and electrical works.

The brighter lights will allow the whole oval to be used for weeknight training sessions for junior and senior football.

The extra lighting also means a much safer and more enjoyable environment, and opens up the oval to a wider range of community activities from sport to community gatherings.

Along with the football netball club, the Drouin Recreation Reserve is home to Drouin Junior Football Club, Drouin Cricket Club, Drouin Fire Brigade, Drouin Badminton Club and Drouin and District Netball Association.

The Reserve is also utilised by All Abilities Netball, Gippsland Power, St Ita’s Primary School, Drouin pool users, the Ficifolia Festival and for a range of community events.

The project was funded in partnership with the Baw Baw Shire Council.

The Country Football and Netball Program is providing funding grants of up to $100,000 for facility improvements like change room upgrades, court refurbishments, ground resurface works or lighting installation.

The Labor Government has teamed up with Victorian Country Football League, AFL Victoria and Netball Victoria to help deliver a range of improvements for country football and netball clubs like the Hawks across the state

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria, Harriet Shing:

“Grassroots sports clubs like the Hawks make our communities tick, but we need to give them the facilities they need to keep evolving.”

“We want all Victorians to have access to safe, modern facilities that they can be proud of, no matter where they live.”

 “Drouin Recreation Reserve will continue to be a hub of activity all year round and will shine even brighter now, thanks to this fantastic investment.”