Major soccer strategy reveals the need for hubs at Armstrong Creek and Bannockburn

According to a new 10-year football strategy, more than a third of all soccer pitches in the Geelong area are in "poor" condition.

Geelong Council approved the new plan outlining planning, investment, and growth priorities in the sport in the region for the next 10 years on Tuesday night. The plan was drafted by Football Victoria and the G21 advocacy group.

More than 1,280 new players and 88 new teams are expected to join the league over the next decade.

Since 2015, the number of participants has increased by around 70%, to about 5600.

However, discussions with players, coaches, and officials suggested that inadequate playing fields and inadequate locker rooms were the most pressing issues.

Barwon Heads Village Park, Bell Park Sports Club, Evans Reserve, Howard Glover Reserve, and White Eagle House in Geelong all have "major shortfalls in infrastructure" and "immediate planning and investment required" when it comes to their respective locker rooms' quality.

Third all existing pitches were deemed to be in poor condition after consultations and examinations.

Volunteers and referees are in short supply, and it would be helpful to have better luck-keeping coaches.

Plans for a multi-sport complex in Armstrong Creek are called an "immediate priority" in the report that is now available for public review and comment.

During a council meeting on Tuesday night, Deputy Mayor Anthony Aitken claimed that the region had a "major growth opportunity" in the sport but that investments were necessary.

According to Councilman Eddy Kontelj, an Armstrong Creek facility is a "crucial component" of the proposal because of the "tremendous" development in the sport.

The future of soccer in our region depends heavily on this strategy, according to Cr Kontelj.

"The popularity of soccer will only increase over time."

To meet "increasing demand," it also suggested building a new football stadium in the Golden Plains Shire, with Bannockburn as the top choice.

Mayor of the Golden Plains Shire Brett Cunningham acknowledged the need for new infrastructure to accommodate Bannockburn's expanding population, but he said further research was required before soccer fields could be considered.

A quarter of all players will be female by 2022, and this number will have increased by 114% since 2015. The research also noted considerable growth in women's soccer.

However, the region's potential to attract events and tournaments has been "inhibited" by a shortage of infrastructure, particularly multi-pitch facilities, with hybrid and synthetic pitches.

According to the strategy, "there is an uneven distribution of football facilities across the region, with a high concentration of venues in the north and limited venues in the south and west." This is because "there is an uneven distribution of football facilities across the region."

When compared to the recommended population-to-provision ratios, "most G21 municipalities have a shortage of football pitches."

The document pushed for gender-neutral improvements to be made to existing fields and dressing rooms for players and officials.

The initiative has the backing of the local government, according to Mike McKinstry, chairman of the Geelong Regional Football Committee.