North Geelong Warriors Soccer Club sees the lights
Courtesy: Geelong Advertiser
NORTH Geelong is gearing up for off-field, as well as on-field, future success with the installation of floodlights at its Elcho Park ground.
The club hopes the $100,000 floodlights will allow it to host Friday night games, thereby boosting attendances and securing its long-term future.
Foundations have already been put in place for the floodlights, with the club using a government grant and funds generated from hosting a national Croatian-community tournament last October.
It’s expected that the floodlights will be in place for next season, potentially to host the Warriors in State League 1, if the side maintains their ladder-leading position.
However, the improved facility could be opened up to more than just soccer matches.
“This will push us towards working with neighbouring clubs and we are looking to see if there’s an avenue for tennis or netball to be played on our second pitch,” North Geelong Warriors president Joe Zilic said.
“We want to create something that’s good for the community but to also cater for our sport for the next 20 years. We want a reputation for youth development and the door is open to everyone – from Lara, Geelong or even Melbourne.”
Elcho Park, which is situated off the Bacchus Marsh Road on the fringes of Lara, was frequently packed out during Warriors golden period in the early-1990s.
Zilic hopes the introduction of Friday night games next year will help boost numbers again.
“Friday night games are at the forefront of our mindset,” he said.
“A large portion of our fans like to watch Geelong’s AFL side as well as us. The Cats haven’t been playing many Friday night games, which has put us under the cosh.
“We lose about 50 to 60 attendees when the games clash. If we play on Friday nights we can get around that. We can also have small-sided junior games on the Friday, which will attract parents of the juniors and give the kids a chance to see the senior side.”
Zilic is also looking into the possibility of bolstering the beleaguered women’s game in Geelong with a $150,000 upgrade of Elcho Park’s change rooms.
“We are looking for guidance from the council to get separate sex change rooms at the ground,” he said. “We definitely want to see more females here and help grow the women’s game.”
