Maidstone’s Scovell Reserve has been ranked as the equal-worst football ground for facilities in the west, with St Albans’ Errington Reserve also in a bad way.
The AFL Victoria-led Western Metropolitan Football Facilities Strategy rated Scovell Reserve 44 out of 132 points.
The strategy has been developed with regional football leagues and Hobsons Bay, Maribyrnong, Wyndham, Brimbank and Melton councils.
It recognises that football participation across the west does not stop at municipal boundaries.
Scovell Reserve, used by Western Region Football League umpires, has no ‘away’ teams’ rooms or umpire facilities.
Yarraville’s Hanmer Reserve, used by Seddon Auskick, was ranked the second-worst ground in Maribyrnong with a rating of 58.
The best three were Whitten Oval, Yarraville Oval and Shorten Reserve, rated 101, 97 and 96, espectively.
Hobsons Bay’s lowest-ranked ground was WJ Crofts Reserve, used by Western Jets Football Club. It was rated 68.
Second-lowest was Fearon Reserve, used by Williamstown CYMS Football Club, at 72.
The three best ovals were Williamstown Cricket Ground, Altona Green Park and AW Langshaws Reserve, ranked 108, 95 and 94, respectively.
Hobsons Bay has 2014 registered footballers and Maribyrnong 1298.
Hobson Bay mayor Peter Hemphill said the council was very aware of the municipality’s lowest-ranked grounds and what was needed to improve them.
“It’s proposed that the 2016-17 draft budget allows for the development of a master plan for Crofts Reserve and redevelopment of the two sports grounds at Fearon Reserve,” he said.
“Hobsons Bay’s ability to provide high-quality sporting facilities has been severely hampered by the state government’s imposition of rate-capping on councils.
“To upgrade these existing sports grounds, we will now more than ever be looking for greater financial contributions from outside sources, such as the state government and AFL Victoria.”
Maribyrnong community wellbeing acting director Lynley Dumble said: “Council is looking forward to receiving community feedback on the Western Metropolitan Football Facilities Strategy so we can best allocate our resources to meet the needs of our local sporting clubs.”
Feedback on the draft strategy is being invited from clubs and the broader community until January 31.
View the strategy at: aflvic.com.au/west-metro-football-facilities-strategy
