Rapid rise for soccer

By Melissa Grant
FIVE soccer precincts are planned for Cardinia, as an increasing number of locals take up the world sport.
Civic leaders have adopted a regional soccer strategy that outlines the need for two district and three neighbourhood centres in Cardinia.
The district precincts, proposed for Henry Road in Pakenham and Officer’s Gum Scrub Creek, are likely to include full-size synthetic pitches, at a cost of more than $700,000 each.
Councillor Collin Ross said soccer was gaining popularity in Cardinia Shire, with more than 120 youngsters part of the Cardinia Cougars soccer team and 78 with the Bunyip and District strikers.
“You can’t help but be impressed,” Cr Ross said. “We have a lot of areas around here taking on soccer.”
The regional soccer strategy for Casey, Yarra Ranges and Cardinia, states that population growth in the region would drive demand for local soccer grounds.
The report recommended that Casey Fields be developed to incorporate a regional soccer ground and that additional land be acquired in the Yarra Ranges for another.
A regional ground for Cardinia wasn’t recommended because of the shire’s low soccer participation.
Instead, district centres were suggested for Henry Road and Gum Scrub Creek, while smaller neighbourhood precincts were recommended for Deep Creek in Pakenham, O’Neil Road in Beaconsfield, and Gum Scrub Creek, Pakenham.
Cr Brett Owen emphasised that plans for the soccer centres were long-term.
“We have to put it in perspective and not excite people too early,” he said.
Cr Owen said the council already had a list of projects to attend to. “People have to understand we have priorities,” he said.
The Toomuc Creek precinct is listed as high priority, expected to be built within three years. The other reserves proposed would be developed over three to 10 years.
Cr Ed Chatwin said he didn’t want to see such projects pushed forward.
“Are we building a facility without the actual players?” he asked.
“Let’s make sure our forward planning doesn’t try to push facilities through in the next two to five years.”
But mayor Bill Pearson expected the sport would continue to gain popularity in Cardinia. “Soccer will develop faster than we think,” he said.