03 Apr 2018 The Free Press, Kilmore, VIC (General News) LOCAL soccer clubs can improve their facilities and encourage more locals to play the world game thanks to the $2.5 million World Game Facilities Fund. Member for Northern Victoria, Jaclyn Symes, said to ensure the world game continues to grow at the grassroots level, the fund will help clubs upgrade or build new facilities across the state. Ms Symes announced up to $250,000 funding for projects would be available to upgrade facilities. Soccer is booming across Victoria with more than 350,000 people hitting the pitch and thats why the Andrews Labor Government is investing in the sports grassroots future, Ms Symes said. The new fund will work to support local soccer clubs and organisations in Northern Victoria to undertake projects such as lighting upgrades, pitch redevelopments, synthetic pitch developments and unisex accessible change rooms. Lighting and synthetic pitch projects mean the whole community can benefit from a facility that can be used night or day, and dont require the burden of watering and maintenance. Upgrading change rooms to unisex means that women and girls will finally now have the facilities they deserve and help level the playing field, she added. Ms Symes said Labor is making sure local soccer clubs in Northern Victoria have the support and facilities they need to grow and welcome more members than ever before. This funding will inspire even more of our kids to sign up to their local soccer club, get active and play the game they love. Applications for the World Game Facilities Fund are now open. For more information visit http://sport. vic.gov.au/grants-and-funding/ourgrants/world-game-facilities-fund Caption Text: Championship day: congratulations to Lancefield little athletes who won certificates, medals and trophies. Congratulations goes to Patrick Keogh and Nysa Males for being crowned Overall Champion Boy and Girl, and to Josh Emonson and Emily Wilmann for Runner Up Champion Boy and Girl. ?Licensed by Copyright Agency. You may only copy or communicate this work with a licence.