Clubs aglow- Casey Panthers Club players and president Debbie Dudley, Narre Warren North MP Lu

SOCCER clubs in Casey will soon be able to extend their training times and host twilight competitions following news of a $96,000 funding boost from the State Government for Prospect Hill Reserve.
Sports Minister James Merlino and Narre Warren North MP Luke Donnellan made the funding announcement towards new pitch lighting on Tuesday.
The Government’s funding is part of the $5.7 million Strengthening the World Game Program.
“The new lights will be a major boost for local soccer, especially home clubs like Casey Panthers looking for new opportunities to cater for their existing 150 members and the growing demand for soccer teams for men, women, boys and girls, in the area,” Mr Merlino said.
He said soccer had experienced recent unprecedented growth in Casey.
“It’s not just Casey soccer clubs that will benefit – the bright new lights open up a range of possibilities for other Reserve sports and nearby schools like Oatlands Primary School to stage after school development programs and events,” Mr Merlino said.
Mr Donnellan congratulated the City of Casey for their $48,000 contribution to the project.
He said the State Government, through the auspices of Melbourne Water, had agreed to licence 9.44 hectares of the Prospect Hill Retarding Basin, together with selling 1,718 m2 of adjoining reserve, to Casey Council.