06 Jun 2018 Benalla Ensign, Benalla VIC (General News) by Georgia Smith SPORTS GRANTS Exciting news for several local sporting clubs, with AFL Victoria approving a grant for the proposed Arundel St Oval Project. The grant will allow for detailed plans and costings for the project to be drawn up. Benalla and District Junior Football League president Darren Skelton said it was a great start to get the project under way. This is exciting news and we thank AFL North East Border and AFL Goulburn Murray for their support, Skelton said. Once the plans are developed, we will be in a strong position to seek further funding required from the Victorian Government and other organisations to upgrade facilities including a multi-use facility with change rooms, toilets, a canteen and storage. The Benalla community is in great need of upgraded sporting facilities at the Arundel St Oval to help drive participation and community health outcomes. The project also proposes the inclusion of ground lights and the development of a fullsize oval for all junior football age groups, youth girls, senior women, cricket, baseball and other activities in Benalla. The Benalla and District Football League has committed $100 000 towards the project that has been raised during the past 15 to 20 years by local families to benefit the community. The group is also working with the Benalla Rural City Council and other groups to get the project off the ground. We have also recently met with Members of Parliament Jaclyn Symes and Steph Ryan as well as representatives of Sport and Recreation Victoria to seek advice and support for the project, Skelton said. State Member for Euroa Steph Ryan said she understood why the funding was so desperately needed. For years parents and volunteers have had to run the canteen out of a shed, Ryan said. Kids also need to cross the very busy car park, which is chock-a-block during home games, to use the toilet. Its immensely frustrating that the Melbourne-centric Andrews Government is handing the AFL $225 million to renovate Etihad Stadium when just a fraction of that funding could give Benallas junior and women footballers the facilities they need. State Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes is also backing the project and said they were in a good place to pursue the plans. Ive talked to council and theres no opposition to the program, which is very exciting for all the groups that it will benefit, Ms Symes said.