By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Fountain Gate Secondary College has been earmarked as Victorian rugby heartland with a $500,000 state-funded upgrade of one of its rugby pitches.
The school, which is the site of a 100-student rugby academy, had recently won a $200,000 state grant for the academy’s strength and conditioning room.
The academy is seen as a pathway for home-grown junior talent to ascend to Super Rugby sides such as Melbourne Rebels as well as international honours.
Narre Warren North MP Luke Donnellan said the academy was a “fantastic breeding ground that nurtures our future sporting stars and supports our young people in the classroom”.
“Our upgrades will make a big difference.”
Sports Minster John Eren, flanked by Melbourne Rebels players and Victorian Rugby Union representatives, also announced Melbourne would host six Wallabies Tests in eight years.
The major Tests include a match versus Ireland in 2018 and a Bledisloe Cup fixture in 2020.
“We’re proud to back the talent of tomorrow, and will continue to bring the big games to town, because we know that without the grassroots we will never be home to the greats,” Mr Eren said.
