Casey Mayor Neil Lucas, President Endeavour Hills Sport and Social Club Eric Moutien, Dandenong MP John By Rebecca Fraser
A NEW pavilion could help the Endeavour Hills Sports and Social Club produce the next David Beckham. On Monday, the club officially unveiled the extension of its soccer pavilion at Power Road Recreation Reserve in Doveton.
Casey mayor Neil Lucas attended the official unveiling of the $150,000 project and said soccer had always been a popular sport that attracted many players.
Cr Lucas also congratulated Myuna Ward councillor Brian Oates on his involvement in the project and said his actions had played a big part in bringing the extension to fruition.
“Maybe we might have the next Harry Kewell or Mark Viduka playing here one day. Wouldn’t that be wonderful, to have a top player coming out of the City of Casey?” he said.
Dandenong MP John Pandazopoulos also attended the opening of the extension and said the general improvements to the pavilion would deliver quality change rooms for local women’s soccer teams.
“Hopefully the contribution of the State Government and the City of Casey can help a local lad achieve their dream to be the next Kevin Muscat or Archie Thomson or just Bend it like Beckham,” he said.
Mr Pandazopoulos also said soccer was one of the fastestgrowing sports and it had been a challenge for council to access facilities for soccer clubs.
“2003 figures showed that soccer passed cricket as the preferred sport. “I know we are coming off the back of a grand final but in reality punters are playing soccer and it is great to be here today for the unveiling,” he said.
President of Endeavour Hills Sports and Social Club Eric Moutien said he was delighted with the new facility and the club would now be able to attract more players.
“We started in 1974 and our first change room was a shed and there were no clubrooms or showers.
“The lack of facilities has made it hard in recent times to recruit female players because it is not prudent to have women changing in men’s rooms and vice versa.
“Now we will be able to promote the club a lot better as we will have better facilities to offer,” he said.
Mr Moutien said the club would have two junior teams, a ladies’ team, a veterans’ team and two senior teams next year and urged locals to get behind the club.
“Residents from all over Endeavour Hills and Casey are all welcome to come to the club and join in,” he said.
