Southern Tablelands Football Association (STFA) is aiming to vastly improve the grounds and facilities at the Cookbundoon Sports Fields.
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The STFA has projected that over the next 20 years there will be an increase of over 1800 soccer players in the Goulburn Mulwaree municipality.
The Association has submitted a detailed document to the Goulburn Mulwaree Council for stronger communities funding grants.
In the document it details a three stage program which includes LED lighting, ground returfing, car park and intersection improvements, fencing and security in stage one and amenities building, shelter and grandstand work is stage two.
It has been more than 40 years since the grounds have been turfed and there is no drainage on any of the fields.
There is no separate changeroom for female players and the toilet facilities are described as old.
With the growing number of women and girls teams in the competition it is essential the amenities are upgraded as soon as possible.
The grounds have very little shelter and when it rains there is insufficient cover for spectators, let alone players and officials to shelter from the elements.
A grandstand is needed for the association to apply to hold higher level matches like NPL, A League, and W League games.
Lighting is needed for evening games and night training at the facility for players coaches and referees.
The lighting that exists is way below the minimum for safe play and training.
Football in Goulburn has had a dramatic 20 per cent growth in participation from 2013 to 2017.
The Cookbundoon fields are also used for representative games and schools competitions. as well as regional competitions and gala days.
SouthernTablelands United was to have played their home game for the FFA Cup in Goulburn on Tuesday evening, however the only suitable field meeting required lighting and amenities minimum standard, the Workers Arena, was unavailable. This meant STFC has had to transfer the game to Canberra.
