By Kelly Yates
SPORTS Minister James Merlino inspected the sporting facilities at Gleneagles Secondary College this week.
Mr Merlino, Narre Warren North MP Luke Donnellan and Casey councillor Bev Hastie walked over the site where a potential community-based soccer facility could be established with school principal Sue Peddlesden and Jenny McDonald from Endeavour United Soccer Club on Tuesday.
“I think it’s marvellous that the school, club and local councillor are all working together to seek a positive outcome for the community,” Mr Merlino said.
“Soccer is growing enormously around Victoria and that’s why we specifically set up the “Growing the World Game” funding facility to meet the growth the game is going through. Locally many clubs have to turn away players. I know locally three clubs who have turned children away which is very unfortunate.”
The City of Casey has set aside $200,000 for a community facility on the site.
Mr Merlino also saw how the students at the school delivered volunteering projects as part of the Victorian Government’s $4.5 million Advance program during his visit.
“The Advance program promotes young Victorians’ involvement in volunteering and youth-led projects and provides them with the opportunity to develop respect for themselves and others,” he said.
“At Gleneagles Secondary College, Advance students have organised the Gleneagles Cup, a round-robin sports tournament for five local primary schools,” Mr Merlino said.
Mr Donnellan said Endeavour Hills Secondary College and Hallam Senior Secondary College had also received funding for volunteering projects through the Advance program.
