Growing the World Game on the local stage
Published 18 September 2023
City of Moreton Bay is fostering Australia’s growing love for football following the Matildas’ recent World Cup success, by building new football facilities and expanding James Drysdale Reserve to cater for huge growth in the Hills District.
Mayor Peter Flannery said the Pine Hills Football Club would be the beneficiary of the $2.25 million field renewal and extension works to bring Field 3 up to match quality.
“Football is booming across Australia on the back of the Matildas’ historic World Cup run and City of Moreton Bay is committed to ensuring players have a home to pursue the sport they love,” he said.
“The Pine Hills Football Club has grown exponentially in recent years in all areas but especially in their women’s program, so Council is meeting those demands by building new facilities to suit.
“The $2.25 million works include resurface and renewal of Field 3 to make it standard playing size, better drainage, a new car park and access, new goals and fencing, as well as relocation of inground services.
“City of Moreton Bay is dedicated to providing the best community sports facilities no matter what sport you play, and supporting the expansion of women’s sport is a major part of our Community Wellbeing strategy.
“Where other politicians around the country are jumping on the Matildas bandwagon, we’re actually delivering on vital infrastructure that ensures we can attract and retain more women in sport across all codes and people can work live and play in our area.”
Councillor Matt Constance (Div 10) said this was another feather in the cap of the James Drysdale Reserve precinct.
“Council has been expanding James Drysdale over a number of years to become an all-inclusive community hub with five sports clubs calling it home as well as the Kakowan Community Facility, and SES depot,” he said.
“Our vision is to create a vibrant meeting place for many different cross sections of our Hills District community, and the Pine Hills Football Club have been a key part of this facility for years.
“The city is growing and Council is doing what we can to ensure our facilities are keeping pace for our residents.”
Pine Hills Football Club president John Easley said the club had exploded to over 900 players from under-6s through to over-45s.
“All aspects of the club have increased massively. We have 14 senior men’s teams and we’ve really concentrated on our women’s program in recent years to grow participation,” he said.
“Only a few years ago we had just two senior women’s teams and now we have a direct pathway for young girls to play from under-6s through to five senior teams.
“The Pine Hills Football Club has a proud history in this area and we’re so grateful that City of Moreton Bay has invested in our facilities to ensure we stick around for many more years to come.”
To read more about Council’s Community Wellbeing Strategy see: Our long-term strategies - City of Moreton Bay