Liam McNally
As the 2024 soccer season commences, the Westside Strikers Football club has found itself unable to kick-off on its home field.
At the beginning of last year the Westside Strikers moved into a new pavilion at the Taylors Hill Recreation Reserve, however, this summer the club had to vacate the space for the cricket season followed by maintenance works which will close the field until April 22.
In the interim the Strikers have been provided with a space at Brookside Recreation Reserve, which limits the club to using a synthetic pitch.
As a result, junior training days have been reduced due to space and the seniors have had to hire space at another club to commence Australia Cup and pre-season friendlies at “great expense” to the club.
Westside Strikers FC accommodates 41 male and female teams from more than 600 families, and club president Sam Raniolo said it’s important for the club to provide players with stability.
“Having a stable club rooms and training ground is important for a community club, as it creates community connection, a social environment and enables effective sponsorship advertising,” he said.
“This summer, council had to upgrade the pitches and we were assured they would be ready before the soccer season commenced… The season is commencing and we are still at the Brookside facility.”
The club understands that with the current set up, the club would need to vacate their home grounds for the cricket season and at least four week’s maintenance every year.
Mr Raniolo said the club wants to be at Taylors Hill for the whole year, as this would enable the recruitment time for the following season and pre-season training.
“If Westside Strikers had the permanent use of Taylors Hill, we could accommodate the four weeks required for annual pitch maintenance,” he said.
“We want to encourage participation in the sport, which is important for the health and wellbeing of our growing community.
“We want stability in access, to provide a social environment, create community connection and provide the sponsors with a place to advertise their connection to the club. Importantly, we want to provide the club members with equity to facilities and training time.”
Melton council City Delivery director Neil Whiteside said works are being undertaken in response to feedback on the condition of the playing surface throughout the 2023 season.
“We thank the Westside Strikers and all our local clubs for their ongoing cooperation and look forward to welcoming them back to Taylors Hill Recreation Reserve next month,“ he said.
