By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
CASEY council will set up a special soccer committee to help struggling clubs in the municipality.
Earlier this month the council carried a motion for the Casey Association Football (Soccer) Reference Committee to be established by September this year, with meetings to be held twice a month.
The motion was raised by Four Oaks councillor Rafal Kaplon in response to the “overwhelming pleas” by representatives from clubs in his ward for extra resources to support the “skyrocketing” growth of European football in the area.
He said many soccer clubs in Casey were already using multiple reserves to cater for their growing playing lists and the council had now run out of allocation space.
“Clubs are struggling to access enough oval sites due to the large numbers of players and teams they already have, and have already had to turn players back,” Cr Kaplon said.
Cr Kaplon said Berwick City Soccer Club, Endeavour Sporting Club and Endeavour United Soccer Club been left with no choice but to turn players away.
“An Afghan community club wanted to set up in Casey and a Romanian club wanted to relocate to Endeavour Hills from Knox City Council but we haven’t been able to accommodate any new teams in the north of the municipality,” he said.
“The truth is the whole Melbourne Metro Region is suffering a shortage of soccer facilities and Casey will be hardest hit with its booming population.
“Therefore it was my sincere belief that the best approach forward is through a proactive rather than reactive process where council and the community can approach these issues together from a joint perspective.”
Casey councillors Rafal Kaplon, Rosalie Crestani, Susan Serey and Amanda Stapledon will be appointed to the reference committee.
For more information, contact Casey Council on 9705 5200.
