Local families in the booming Ripley Valley and surrounding areas in Ipswich are set to benefit from a Federal Labor commitment to upgrade local football grounds.
If elected, an Albanese Labor Government will invest $1 million in the Ripley Valley Football Club to upgrade its clubhouse and facilities.
Federal Member for Blair Shayne Neumann said that he had visited the club several times in recent years and had listened to the concerns of coaches and players.
“I am thrilled to announce this upgrade will go ahead under a Federal Labor Government.
“This funding will allow Ripley Valley Football Club to expand and encourage more locals to get active and play football,” he said.
Ripley Valley Football Club is a grassroots football (soccer) club based at Ironbark Park in South Ripley.
It was established in 2018 by a group of football fans in response to growing demand for a local club with the intention of providing a community-based sporting option for the new Ripley Valley Priority Development Area.
This year, the club welcomed new members from the greater Ipswich region and now has more than 300 members, spread over more than 20 teams in the Football Queensland Competition.
However, it has grown so quickly it has had to cap the number of new players it can accept and turn some people away, and it is fast outgrowing its current facilities.
“These much-needed upgrades to facilities will allow the club to expand in line with community demands, and greatly help them to provide affordable sport and adequate female facilities for this rapidly growing area.
“We know there is huge demand for better sporting and community facilities across the Ipswich region to encourage more kids to get involved and play sport.
“Encouraging participation in sport is vital to happy, healthy communities.”
This announcement builds on a number of other sporting and community infrastructure commitments across Ipswich, the Somerset Region and Karana Downs area, at both an elite and grassroots level, including:
$20 million to upgrade North Ipswich Stadium. This is the first stage in developing a boutique 12,500 seat stadium, designed for rugby league and soccer matches, with broadcast facilities to ensure NRL and A-League matches could be hosted at the venue.
$2 million for a Community Sports Hub and new basketball courts at Ipswich State High School
$2 million to expand the Ipswich Basketball stadium and build new basketball courts at the venue
$500,000 to upgrade the Ipswich Hockey fields, including irrigation and lighting
$20,000 for a new toy and sporting equipment library for multicultural communities at the Redbank Plains Community Centre.
“In my time as the Member for Blair, I’ve also been proud to secure funding for a range of sporting organisations.
“This includes $20,000 for Western Pride Football Club to build female change rooms, $18,400 for Ipswich Switches Junior Speedway for new track timing infrastructure, and $4,250 for BBQ facilities at the Dinmore Bushrats Soccer and Sports Club.
“An Albanese Labor Government will ensure a better future for local sporting clubs and sports fans in Blair,” Mr Neumann said.
