Big boot boost

By Bridget Brady
CRANBOURNE is poised to cement its image as a sporting mecca, with hopes to build world-class soccer facilities and the introduction of a major athletics event this weekend.
This Sunday’s inaugural Trios Cranbourne Gift at the Cranbourne Racecourse has already attracted one of the country’s top athletes, with Australia’s fastest man, Anthony Alozie, competing in the main race.
And Casey Council plans to bolster Casey Fields as the premier sporting facility in Melbourne’s south-east, last week announcing it had a $15.4 million funding application with the Federal Government to build top-grade soccer facilities at Casey Fields.
The Casey Soccer Centre of Excellence would comprise a main turf pitch with a stadium to seat 500 people, and four synthetic pitches.
If successful, the council said the soccer facilities would be fit to use as a World Cup training facility in support of Australia’s bid to host the FIFA World Cup.
Casey chief executive Mike Tyler said a decision about whether new A League team Melbourne Heart would make Casey its home was expected in the next few weeks.
AFL’s Melbourne Football Club has already signed a 30-year deal with the council, using Casey Fields as a training facility and undertaking a number of activities in the Casey community. About $16 million has already been invested at Casey Fields, with another $10.6 million of works underway for the regional athletics complex and other projects.
Casey’s director of planning and development Peter Fitchett said the soccer facilities would cater for the entire Casey soccer community.
“The benefit of having four synthetic pitches is that they can be used intensively throughout the day and evening with no maintenance concerns. The number of soccer players will therefore rise significantly,” he said.
Cranbourne Turf Club chief executive Neil Bainbridge said it was a real coup for Cranbourne to secure Anthony Alozie, Australia’s fastest man, for the $5000 Trios Cranbourne Gift.
“The City of Casey is renowned for its great sporting facilities and the Trios Cranbourne Gift is just another major event that the City of Casey can be proud of.”
Victorian Athletics League chief executive Mark Howard said the event would be one of the leading athletic events before the Stawell Gift, which will be held in a few weeks.
It will feature the main event as well as entertainment such as a hot rod and vintage car display and rides.
Organisers hope to attract three or four thousand people at the racecourse this weekend. Tickets are $10 each, $25 for family and $5 for concession. Gates open at 9.30am and the first race is at noon.
“We hope it’s a success and a future event on our calendar,” Mr Howard said.
The latest news comes on the back of the Australian title fight at the racecourse last week featuring Cranbourne boxer Daniel ‘Porky’ Lovett.