Sports Facilities Plan

Transcription

1 2015 Sports Facilities Plan 1

2 Table of contents Executive Summary Introduction Project objectives Project scope Methodology Summary of Project Achievements Strategic context Local context National and State context Guiding principles Demographic Review Participation Trends National and state participation Local participation General trends Outdoor Sport on Greater Dandenong Summary of current situation Profile of individual sports Summary of Sporting Reserves and Facilities Facility Hierarchy Summary of Sporting Reserves Key Issues and Opportunities Sporting Open Space Facility Development Guidelines Pavilions Floodlighting Other facilities and infrastructure Prioritisation of Capital Works Projects Recommendations Implementation of priority projects Financial implications Implementation Plan Appendix 1 Summary of sporting reserves and 2014 facility allocations

3 Executive Summary Sport provides significant benefits for individuals and communities both directly and indirectly. These benefits include individual health and wellbeing, satisfaction and engagement in community life, community pride in volunteering and efficient use of economic and government resources with reduced poor health, absenteeism and anti-social behaviour. Sport also provides significant economic benefits by creating employment to build and operate facilities and through the secondary spend capacity of participants and spectators who are attracted to events, competitions and tournaments. The City of Greater Dandenong recognises the critical role of sport in contributing to the health and wellbeing of the community and provides significant investment into the provision of sporting facilities throughout the municipality. The City of Greater Dandenong currently provides 25 sporting reserves throughout the municipality, and supports the community use of five (5) school sites. These reserves provide a broad range of single and multi-use playing fields / areas that accommodate: 38 cricket grounds 18 Australian Rules football ovals 29 soccer pitches 22 netball courts (indoor and outdoor) 2 athletics tracks 5 softball diamonds 2 baseball diamonds 3 rugby fields 1 hockey field Additionally, a range of supporting infrastructure is also provided including 34 sports pavilions, floodlighting of varying standards, cricket nets, scoreboards, coaches boxes, spectator seating, car parking / access roads and a range of open space infrastructure to support the informal use of sporting reserves. This extensive range of facilities requires ongoing improvements to address aging infrastructure, compliance with modern standards, and to enable multi-purpose and maximum use. Additionally, new facilities are also required to cater for the growing population and respond to increasing participation levels and community demand. This high and increasing number of sporting facilities requires a strategic and coordinated approach to ensure resources are appropriate targeted to maximise community benefit and respond to greatest need. Review of 2011 Sports Facilities Plan The Sports Facilities Plan has been undertaken to guide the planning and strategic delivery of new and improved sporting facilities throughout the City of Greater Dandenong. The revised Plan will replace the previous 2011 Sports Facilities Plan, and aims to build on previous findings and recommendations in response to recent trends, changing demands and rising costs. Since the development of the previous Sports Facilities Plan, Council has invested over $6 million towards the implementation of priority capital projects to improve the provision of outdoor sporting facilities in Greater Dandenong. Council has also made considerable progress in dealing with the challenges involved in the provision of sporting facilities, including managing limited available 3

4 space through the co-location of clubs at facilities, conversion of football ovals to multi-use sports fields and the upgrade of lighting to enable year-round use of previously limited grounds. Changing trends and demands There are currently 73 clubs and 8,191 registered participants in Greater Dandenong, across the nine outdoor sports that are included in the Sports Facilities Plan Review. This represents an increase of 444 participants or 5.8% since As shown by the following graph, netball, soccer and cricket have recorded the highest participation levels, and six out of the nine selected sports have shown strong growth over this period Athletics Australian Rules Baseball Cricket Hockey Netball Rugby League Soccer Softball Overall growth in team and players numbers has increased demands at existing reserves and the need to maximise use of available facilities through the provision of floodlighting, improved ground conditions and multi-use pavilions for multiple pitches. Increased participation amongst females has also highlighted the need for unisex change rooms and amenities within sports pavilions Strategic direction The Sports Facilities Plan proposes a facility hierarchy to enable Council to provide a coordinated network of sporting facilities to cater for varying standards of participation and competition. This hierarchy and associated facility development guidelines allows Council to target resources and develop some reserves to a high level for elite level competition, whilst developing others for grass roots participation and local competition. All sporting reserves and facilities have been classified in accordance with the facility hierarchy which is summarised below. Premier Reserve Large sites, high usage, regional catchment, premier / high level facilities for specific sports. Community Competition Reserve Sites of varying sizes with good quality multi-use facilities and supporting infrastructure. School Sports Reserve School sites with at least one playing field and may have some supporting infrastructure. Accessible for community use at agreed times. 4

5 The revised Sports Facilities Plan proposes a large number of capital improvements at sporting reserves throughout Greater Dandenong. Such improvements include new and upgraded sporting pavilions, floodlighting, synthetic playing fields, cricket practice nets and minor infrastructure such as score boards and coaches boxes. Specific actions for improvements to sporting facilities and supporting infrastructure are contained within a detailed Implementation Plan. All potential future projects have been assessed and prioritised in accordance with the Sports Facility Prioritisation Criteria which considers the merit of each project in accordance with the following criteria: 1 Asset Management a. Age and condition of infrastructure b. Design compliance c. Safety / risk management issues 2 Participation - demand for facilities based on participation / utilisation levels and trends 3 Community benefit increasing capacity of facilities, provision of health / community benefits including multi-use, access for females, juniors people with a disability etc. 4 Expressed demand based on current issues, usage requirements, site potential and / or strategic influences. 5 Hierarchy - facility classification (i.e. for premier, community and school sport facilities). 6 Partnerships - potential for partnerships and funding support Implementation process The Sports Facilities Plan allows Council to progressively improve sports facilities and supporting infrastructure throughout the City of Greater Dandenong in accordance with the priorities outlined in the Implementation Plan and available resources. The Implementation Plan contains a list of potential capital works for each sporting reserve in Greater Dandenong, in addition to their priority rating and indicative cost estimate. The timelines to implement individual projects will be subject to available resources, including the acquisition of external funding such as government grants. Council s Sport and Recreation Unit will work in collaboration with a number of other Council departments to implement the projects identified in the Sports Facilities Plan. The Sport and Recreation Unit will also be responsible regularly monitoring the Implementation Plan in response to changes to participation data and trends, detailed cost estimates, funding availability and the outcome of further planning (i.e. feasibility studies and reserve master plans). 5

6 1. Introduction The Sports Facilities Plan has been prepared to guide the planning and strategic delivery of new and improved sporting facilities throughout the City of Greater Dandenong. The Sports Facilities Plan was originally developed in 2011 and involved a comprehensive research and consultation process, and detailed assessment of sporting facilities throughout the municipality. The Plan provided detailed information about the condition and functionality of existing facilities and infrastructure, and provided a prioritised and costed list of improvements. Since the adoption of the Sports Facilities Plan, a number of factors and changing conditions have contributed to the need to review the Plan to ensure it remains an effective planning tool for Council. These factors include: 1. Changing participation trends; 2. Rising costs and the need to review project cost estimates and budget forecasts (in accordance with Council s Long Term Financial Strategy - LTFS); 3. Changing demands at some venues associated with the introduction of new sports / clubs, increased utilisation levels and increasing participation by females (and the requirement for unisex amenities); 4. Increasing demand for improved supporting infrastructure (i.e. floodlighting and practice nets) and the need to consider such improvements in the context of other priorities; 5. Preparation of new master plans and strategic planning documents (including Council s Sport and Active Recreation Strategy Activate ); 6. Completion of high priority projects (as outlined in Section 2.1) and the need to reprioritise remaining projects. These factors have all been considered in the preparation of the revised Sports Facilities Plan to ensure it provides continued direction for ongoing financial commitments and timely, needs based facility development. 1.1 Project objectives The purpose of the Sports Facilities Plan is to ensure a well-planned approach to the provision of quality sporting facilities in Greater Dandenong and thereby contribute to building active, healthy and successful communities. More specifically, the review of this plan is designed to build on existing research and findings with the aim to: Identify and plan for changing trends in sports participation and facility provision; Address issues and challenges identified at existing sporting reserves; Provide a clear framework for the prioritisation of future sports facility improvements; Identify and prioritise sporting facility improvements across the municipality in accordance with community demand and with the aim to maximise opportunities for participation; Provide accurate and realistic cost estimates and budget forecasts for identified facility improvements; Guide Council investment in sporting facilities and ensure the effective and equitable allocation of resources; Identify potential future partnerships to maximise grant / external funding opportunities; 6

7 Support and encourage sports participation by all, but particularly women, juniors and people with a disability; Identify new and potential sports facility developments to support the future growth of specified sports throughout the municipality. 1.2 Project scope The Sports Facilities Plan primarily focuses on outdoor active sports in Greater Dandenong that are provided at public reserves and venues throughout the municipality. These sports include athletics, Australian Rules football, baseball, cricket, hockey, netball, rugby league, soccer and softball. The following sport and recreation activities have been addressed in separate studies, and have therefore been excluded from the Sports Facilities Plan Review: Swimming and indoor sport and recreation activities (with the exception of netball which is also played outdoors); Tennis, lawn bowls and croquet which currently operate under lease arrangements and are addressed in separate strategies (Tennis Plan, 2008 and Lawn Bowls / Croquet Strategy, 2008); Walking, cycling and other unstructured recreation activities. The Sports Facilities Plan focuses on sporting facilities and supporting infrastructure. Broader actions pertaining to increasing participation and club development have been addressed within Council s Draft Sport and Active Recreation Strategy, Activate. Facilities and infrastructure that have been specifically targeted within this Plan include pavilions / clubrooms, floodlighting, synthetic playing fields, cricket nets and minor infrastructure such as coaches boxes and scoreboards. (Sports ground improvements have also been identified, but referred to Council s Parks and City Improvement Departments for implementation in coordination with the Sports Facilities Plan.) 1.3 Methodology The review of the Sports Facilities Plan has involved the following process: 1. Review of relevant strategic documents and plans; 2. Analysis of national, state and local participation trends; 3. Collation and review of club membership / participation numbers and facility utilisation levels; 4. Assessment of completed projects and associated costs; 5. Audit of sporting pavilions (undertaken at seasonal change-over), and review of floodlighting audit results; 6. Analysis of club / facility allocations and associated key issues and opportunities; 7. Consultation with external stakeholders including relevant state sporting associations and some local government authorities. 8. Internal consultation with Council Officers across various departments to identify and reassess proposed facility improvements and cost estimates. 7

8 2. Summary of Project Achievements The City of Greater Dandenong has made significant progress in the implementation of priority actions contained within the original Sports Facilities Plan. This has included an investment of over $6,218,009 in sports facility improvements since the plan was adopted in This figure includes $1,068,000 in grants and contributions received from external stakeholders, which represents 17% of total project expenditure. The following table provides a summary of the sports facility improvement projects that have been undertaken since 2011/12, which equates to 85% of projects identified in the original Sports Facilities Plan (for the same period). Several additional projects have also been undertaken such as facility planning / feasibility studies, cricket net and scoreboard upgrades and ongoing asset renewal works which were outside the scope of the 2011 Sports Facilities Plan. Pavilion improvements Coomoora Reserve pavilion and amenity improvements (stage 1) $759,681 Sporting pavilion general renew and upgrades $208,257 Lois Twohig Reserve - Gerry Sweeting pavilion and veranda works $277,376 Thomas Carroll Reserve change room improvements $63,214 Dandenong Park Buckley Ridges Pavilion renewal and upgrade $76,913 Shepley Oval Keith Miller pavilion refurbishment $1,200,000 Norman Luth Reserve pavilion upgrade $671,000 George Andrews Reserve pavilion design $46,817 George Andrews Reserve pavilion refurbishment $673,401 Greaves Reserve Alan Carter pavilion upgrade (stage 1) $432,263 Edinburgh Reserve pavilion upgrade design $53,148 Floodlighting installations / upgrades Ross Reserve athletics track / soccer lighting upgrade $384,735 Warner Reserve Lighting upgrade $256,890 Tatterson Park floodlighting installation (oval 2) $261,770 Sports lighting upgrades general $168,777 Mills Reserve lighting installation $181,897 Other facility improvements Ross Reserve athletics track renewal (stage 1) $437,445 Warner Reserve car parking $127,425 Projects underway Greaves Reserve Alan Carter pavilion upgrade (stage 2) Tatterson Park pavilion design Edinburgh Reserve pavilion and amenities upgrade Coomoora Reserve stage 2 pavilion design underway underway underway underway 8

9 Council has made considerable progress in dealing with the challenges involved in the provision of sport and recreation facilities in Greater Dandenong since the adoption of the Sports Facilities Plan in These include: managing limited available space through the co-location of clubs at facilities; conversion of football ovals to multi-use sports fields (i.e. to include soccer pitches); and upgrading lighting to enable year-round usage at previously limited grounds. Improvements to pavilions and floodlighting have primarily been undertaken at venues that cater for both male and female, and junior and senior participants. Pavilion improvement works at Coomoora Reserve, Norman Luth Reserve, George Andrews Reserve and at the Alan Carter pavilion at Greaves Reserve have resulted in the provision of uni-sex change rooms providing flexibility for matches with both male and female teams, and catering for multiple teams and playing fields. A number of projects have had a significant impact on participation levels, such as the athletics track and lighting upgrade at Ross Reserve. The upgrade of these facilities allowed the Springvale Little Athletics Centre to run track meetings on Friday nights which contributed to an increase of 100 members between 2010/11 and 2013/ Strategic context The Sports Facilities Plan has been informed by a large number of policies and strategic planning documents which is illustrated in the following diagram. City of Greater Dandenong Imagine 2030 Community Plan Council Plan Community Wellbeing Plan Other Council Strategies: - Long Term Financial Strategy (LTFS) - Disability Policy, Open Space Plan, Reserve Master Plans ACTIVATE Sport and Active Recreation Strategy Sports Facilities Plan Recreation Plans: - Sport and Recreation Participation Study - Sport Specific Plans - Management Policies Other Strategies Prepared by: - Aust. Sports Commission - Australian Government - Victorian Government - VicSport - CSIRO - ABS - State Sports Associations 9

10 3.1 Local context The review of the Sports Facilities Plan has been undertaken in the context of the Council Plan ( ) which acknowledges sport and recreation as integral to achieving a healthy, active and safe community and the Imagine 2030 Community Plan which identifies local sport and recreation clubs as being thriving centres of social activity and gathering across all cultures and generations. The Community Wellbeing Plan ( ) also acknowledges the importance of physical activity, leisure and recreational opportunities in improving health and wellbeing, encouraging social interaction and creating healthier and more inclusive communities. Council s Sport and Active Recreation Strategy titled Activate provides an overarching strategic framework to the Sports Facilities Plan. The vision for Activate is to: Build active, healthy and successful communities in the City of Greater Dandenong through increased participation in sport and recreation and the provision of well planned, accessible, affordable and sustainable facilities. Activate recommends the review of the Sports Facilities Plan to guide the progressive improvement of outdoor sporting facilities and supporting infrastructure in Greater Dandenong. Activate also recommends the development of design standards for ovals and pavilions and review of lighting requirements as part of the Sports Facilities Plan Review. The Sports Facilities Plan Review has also been informed by a range of other strategic documents which are listed below: Open Space Strategy, 2009 Disability Policy, 2010 Long Term Financial Strategy Sport and Recreation Participation Consultation Outcomes Report, 2011 Sport Specific Plans: o Football (Soccer) Development Plan, 2011 o Soccer Hub Feasibility, Concept and Business Plan, 2013 (draft) Master Plans o Ross Reserve Master Plan, 2012 o Tatterson Park Master Plan, 2006 (and revisions) o Dandenong Park Regional Leisure Precinct Master Plan, National and State context A range of strategic documents from external stakeholders have also been considered in the review of the Sports Facilities Plan, which are listed below. Australian Sports Commission Strategic Plan to National Sport and Active Recreation Framework 2011 Sport and Recreation Victoria s Strategic Framework The Future of Australian Sport, CSIRO 2013 Vic Sport Policy Agenda 2014 More Victorians in the Game Exercise Recreation and Sports Survey, 2010 (ASC) and Participation in Sport and Physical Recreation, Australia 2011/12 (ABS) Planning for Community Infrastructure in Growth Areas 2008 State Sporting Associations Strategic Plans 10

11 4. Guiding principles The Sports Facilities Plan has been developed in accordance with the guiding principles for sport and active recreation in Greater Dandenong, as outlined in Activate. 1. Affordability Council will encourage participation in sporting activities by supporting and facilitating affordable access to a range of leisure opportunities. (By investing in community sporting facilities, Council will subsidise access to quality facilities and participation opportunities.) 2. Quality Council will ensure the provision of high quality facilities that comply with relevant standards and cater for community needs and expectations. (Council will continually improve the quality of sporting facilities and supporting infrastructure in accordance with the facility hierarchy.) 3. Sustainability Council will employ responsible economic, social and environmental practices for the ongoing provision of sport and recreation facilities and services. (Sustainability will be a major consideration when undertaking sports facility improvements.) 4. Strategic Provision Council will ensure the strategic delivery of sport and active recreation facilities that consider changing social conditions, trends, technologies and community needs. (Facility improvements will be undertaken in accordance with the Sports Facilities Plan, facility hierarchy and development guidelines.) 5. Diverse Opportunities Council will ensure a diverse range of structured and unstructured sport and recreation opportunities are available to the community. (Council will support a range of different sports to cater for Greater Dandenong s diverse communities.) 6. Maximum and Multi-Use Council will emphasise maximum benefits through the provision of sport and recreation facilities and services that are flexible and provide for multiple users. (New and upgraded sporting facilities will cater for both female and male participants, will encourage shared use and endeavour to maximise use of available grounds / facilities.) 7. Partnerships Council will work in partnership with a range of stakeholders to plan, develop, manage, fund and operate facilities, programs and services. (Council will work with local clubs, associations and funding bodies to develop / redevelop sporting facilities.) 8. Community Engagement Council will encourage community involvement in sport and recreation facilities, programs and services. (Council will provide places for people to gather and participate in a range of sport and community activities.) 9. Communication Council will develop and utilise two-way communication strategies that inform, create and stimulate interest and awareness. (Council will work with clubs to inform participants and the broader community about planned sport facility improvements.) 10. Equitable Access Council will ensure equitable access to leisure facilities and services by all people regardless of age, gender, ability or cultural background. (All new and upgraded sports facilities will be accessible to people of all abilities and incorporate universal design principles.) 11

12 5. Demographic Review Greater Dandenong encompasses an area of 129 square kilometres in Melbourne s south-east, approximately 24 kilometres from the central business district. At an estimated 147,000 people in 2014, the number of residents in Greater Dandenong has risen by almost 20,000 during the past two decades, and is forecast to rise by a further 16,000 by 2023 (Department of Planning and Community Development). Age Profile Greater Dandenong has a similar age profile to that of metropolitan Melbourne, with nearly one in four residents aged less than 18 years, one in seven of retirement age, and the balance young and working age adults. A 7% rise in the number of children during the forthcoming decade is forecast, coupled with a 10% increase in the number of young adults and a surge of 13% in the population of older residents. 0-4 years 11, years 11, years 10, years 13, years 79, years 20,297 Total 147,055 Nearly four fifths of the 47,000 households in Greater Dandenong are families, with 30% couples, 46% couples with children, 19% headed by a single parent and 5% are other family types. Three quarters of families with young children are headed by oversees born parents from countries such as Vietnam, Cambodia, India and Sri Lanka. Cultural Diversity Greater Dandenong is the most culturally diverse municipality in Victoria, and the second most diverse in Australia, with residents from over 150 different birthplaces, well over half (60%) of its population born overseas, and 55% from nations where English is not the main spoken language (by comparison, metropolitan Melbourne is 26%). The diversity of the City is reflected in its blend of religious faiths, which includes Buddism, adhered to by 18% of residents, Islam (11%), Hinduism (4%) and Christianity (50%). In 2012/13 2,240 recently-arrived migrants settled in Greater Dandenong, the highest number of settlers in any Victorian municipality. A third of these people (720) were humanitarian immigrants, largely from Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Iran and Pakistan One in seven residents - accounting for 19,000 people or 14% of the population, has limited fluency in spoken English, which is four times the metropolitan level of 4%. Substantial numbers of residents who speak Vietnamese, Khmer and Chinese languages have limited English fluency. 12

13 Other Characteristics Approximately 6.6% of people in Greater Dandenong were living with a severe or profound disability, requiring daily assistance with mobility, communication or self-care (compared with 5% across metropolitan Melbourne). A lower proportion of people from Greater Dandenong engage in voluntary work on a regular basis (11%), compared with 19% across Victoria. In 2011, the median weekly gross income among Greater Dandenong residents was $395, the lowest level in Melbourne and 67% of the metropolitan average. Implications to sport and recreation provision The demographic profile of Greater Dandenong has a number of implications to the provision of sporting facilities across the municipality. Forecast population growth will place increasing pressure on sporting facilities in some areas and highlights the need to maximise the use of existing facilities (i.e. the provision of floodlighting and synthetic playing surfaces allow for greater use of sports grounds). and continuing demand for a range of sporting facilities for children and young people, with approximately 3 out of 10 residents aged in their most active years (0 to 24 years). An increasing focus will also be required to ensure facilities are provided for an ageing population. Cultural influences impact on sport and recreation preferences and participation trends. In particular, Greater Dandenong s high and increasing migrant population has led to a significant increase in soccer participation which is placing greater demands on facilities. The number of newly arrived immigrants highlights the increasing importance of sporting clubs and facilities in fostering social connections. Council will continue to require sports clubs to become more inclusive and welcoming to the diverse cultural groups in Greater Dandenong. levels of disposable income impact on access and participation. Energy efficient buildings and facilities will be important to limiting club operating costs and will contribute to fees and charges being set at an affordable level. The high proportion of people with a disability highlights the importance of providing accessible and inclusive facilities that cater for all abilities. 13

14 6. Participation Trends Changing participation trends impact on the demand for, and provision of sporting facilities in the City of Greater Dandenong. The following information provides a summary of the key trends that have influenced the review of the Sports Facilities Plan. 6.1 National and state participation The ABS Multi-Purpose Household Survey (MPHS) Participation in Sport and Physical Recreation module identified a range of participation trends for persons aged 15 years and over in Australia and Victoria. 1 An estimated 48.1% of Australians participated at least once per week in sport and physical recreation ( weekly participation ). 25.6% participated at least three times per week ( regular participation ). Among males, those who were born in non-main English speaking countries had slightly higher regular participation rates (27.7%) than those born in Australia (24.9%) or in main English speaking countries (24.4%). Among females, those who were born in non-main English speaking countries had the lowest regular participation rates (18.3%), especially when compared to those who were born in a main English speaking country (34.1%). In Victoria, the participation rate for organised sport and physical recreation was 28.1% which was higher than the national rate (27.2%). o o Males have a higher level of participation than females (28.8% compared to 27.4%). For sports club based activities this gap widens to 19.8% for males and 10.2% for females. Participation is highest among young people aged 15 to 17 years (59.6%) and generally declines with age. For sports club based activities participation steadily declines with age for males, whilst females aged 25 to 34 and 45 to 64 years have the lowest participation levels. The ABS Report titled Children s Participation in Cultural and Leisure Activities, 2012 provides information about the participation of children aged 5 to 14 years in cultural, sporting and other leisure activities. Approximately two thirds (66%) of all children aged between 9 and 11 years participated in organised sport, which is higher than the participation rates of those aged 5 to 8 years and 12 to 14 years (56% and 60% respectively). More males participated than females. Participation was higher for children born in Australia (61%) compared with those born overseas (52%). The most popular sport for males was outdoor soccer with a participation rate of 22%. The most popular sports for females was swimming and diving (19%), followed by netball (16%). 1 This report replaces the Australian Sports Commission s Exercise Recreation and Sport survey (ERASS) Annual Report, which was decommissioned in Data from the ERASS and MPHS Participation in Sport and Physical Recreation module are not comparable due to methodological differences. (Data contained within the City of Greater Dandenong s 2011 Sports Facilities Plan and 2010 Sport and Recreation Participation Study was based on ERASS data.) 14

15 Top sport and physical recreation activities in Victoria (for persons aged 15 years and over) Activity Participation Rate Trend from Walking 24.1% 24.0% 24.3% 2 Fitness / Gym 11.8% 14.4% 17.6% 3 Swimming / diving 8.0% 6.6% 7.7% 4 Cycling / BMXing 6.4% 7.5% 8.8% 5 Jogging / Running 4.2% 7.5% 7.8% 6 Golf 5.9% 5.0% 4.6% 7 Tennis 4.8% 4.7% 4.2% 8 Netball 3.2% 3.0% 3.5% 9 Basketball 2.6% 3.0% 3.2% 10 Australian Rules Football 3.3% 2.7% 2.0% 11 Cricket 2.8% 1.9% 2.0% = 12 Soccer (outdoor) 1.9% 1.1% 1.9% The above table provides a summary of the most popular physical activities in Victoria from 2005/06 to 2011/12. In summary: Non-organised participation: o Participation in non-organised activities is higher than organised activities, as reflected by the top five activities, being walking, fitness / gym, swimming / diving, cycling / BMXing and jogging / running. Participation levels have increased for each of these activities over recent years. Organised participation (relevant to the Sports Facilities Plan): o Netball and soccer participation levels have increased; o Cricket participation levels have increased slightly since ; o Australian Rules football participation has steadily declined since Top children s sporting activities in Victoria (for children aged 5 to 14 years) Activity Participation Rate Trend from Swimming and Diving Australian Rules Football Basketball Tennis Netball Soccer (outdoor) Martial Arts Gymnastics N/a 9 Cricket (outdoor) Athletics, track and field Hockey Soccer (indoor)

16 The table on the previous page provides a summary of children s participation in selected sporting activities in 2006, 2009 and 2012, sourced from Children s Participation in Cultural and Leisure Activities, Australia (2012). In summary: The most popular activities are swimming / diving, Australian Rules football and basketball. o Whilst not shown in the above table, the most popular activities for males were Australian Rules football, basketball and tennis, whilst the most popular activities for females were swimming, netball and basketball. Soccer (outdoor) participation has significantly increased since 2006, Hockey participation has shown a small but continued increase in participation. Australian Rules football and cricket participation have significantly declined since Netball and athletics participation have also declined over this period. Data from State Sporting Associations generally supports these participation trends, which are detailed for each sport in Section Local participation A study into the involvement of Greater Dandenong residents in sport and recreation activities was undertaken in 2011 (and is scheduled to be updated in 2014/15). This Sport and Recreation Participation Study identified the most popular sport and recreation activities for Greater Dandenong residents aged 15 years and over, which are listed below. 1. Walking 2. Swimming 3. Cycling 4. Running / Jogging 5. Basketball 6. Football Soccer 7. Tennis 8. Ballet / Dance 9. Gym / aerobics / fitness 10. Yoga Cricket, netball and Australian Rules Football were included in the top twenty most popular activities (as numbers 15, 16 and 18 respectively) Whilst not shown in the above table, the top sport and recreation activities differ in popularity and participation rates between females and males, however both genders share eight of the top ten most participated in activities. Differences include ballet / dance, yoga and netball for females, and golf, cricket, football (Australian Rules) and fishing for males. Key observations between participation in Greater Dandenong and participation at a national and state level include: Walking, swimming, running and cycling are all within the top five most popular activities at a national, state and local level. (NB: Such activities are being addressed through Council s Draft Sport and Active Recreation Study, Activate.) Basketball, football (soccer) and dance are ranked higher in the Greater Dandenong survey, compared to national and state averages. Gym / aerobics / fitness activities ranked lower in the Greater Dandenong survey than the national and state average, in addition to golf and Australian rules football (at a state level). A survey of students aged 12 to 17 years was conducted in 2012 to determine levels of participation in sport outside school hours. A comparison of these results with National participation levels indicates: 16

17 Greater Dandenong has lower levels of participation in organised sport outside school hours (53% compared to 63%). Activities such as basketball, football (soccer), badminton, table tennis and volleyball are ranked higher in Greater Dandenong compared to national averages. Activities such as Australian Rules football, cricket and hockey are ranked lower than national averages. Swimming, dancing, netball and basketball are all within the top eight most popular activities at a national and local level. Participation and membership numbers for individual sports have been analysed as part of the Sports Facilities Plan Review and are provided in Section General trends The following trends have been noted from background research and impact on the provision of sport and recreation opportunities and facilities. Increased community expectations for high quality facilities and services, and the associated impact on public resources (for facility development, upgrade and maintenance). Increased recognition of the links between physical activity and health which are becoming a larger part of people s activity choices. and growing demand for informal, unstructured and non-competitive activities. o o Increasingly busy lifestyles and changing work patterns can make participation in traditional club-based sporting activities difficult and flexible, casual participation opportunities more attractive. Introduction of modified rules (such as AFL 9s and touch rugby) and junior programs (such as Auskick, Milo In2Cricket and Aussie Hoops Basketball) has helped increase participation rates, especially by juniors and females. The emergence of pay as you play has also increased in popularity. demand for a variety of sport and recreation activities, which is reinforced by high levels of population diversity and which support the trend towards multi-use facilities. Desire for affordable and locally accessed sport and recreation activities by those without the resources to travel or pay for more expensive pursuits. Changing demographics associated with an aging and growing multicultural population will impact on the types of sports that are played, and how sports are played ( The Future of Australian Sport, CSIRO). Changing trends in sports facility design include: An increasing emphasis on multi-use facilities that can be configured to meet a variety of different needs and users, and respond to changing participation trends. Provision of sporting infrastructure in accordance with a facility hierarchy, to cater for different levels / standards of competition and utilisation. Centrally located pavilions with flexible spaces and unisex amenities that can service multiple sports grounds / facilities and maximise use of surrounding infrastructure. Inclusion of meeting / social spaces, and family friendly facilities. Improved design features to increase accessibility to and within public sports facilities for people with special needs. Consideration of energy efficiencies and environmentally friendly features. 17

18 7. Outdoor Sport on Greater Dandenong 7.1 Summary of current situation There are currently 73 clubs and 8,191 registered participants in Greater Dandenong, across the nine outdoor sports that are included in the Sports Facilities Plan Review. This represents an increase of 444 participants or 5.8% since The following table provides a summary of these sports and the number of facilities that are currently used. Summary of participation and provision levels for targeted outdoor sports Sport # Clubs / Associations # Registered Participants Venues Facilities (playing areas) Netball 3 3 1,511 1, Soccer ,840 1, Cricket ,310 1, Australian Rules ,966 1, Athletics Rugby League Hockey Baseball Softball The number of registered participants excludes casual and social participants who are not formally registered with the peak body. (Netball includes indoor and outdoor participants.) This table also illustrates the changes in the number of registered participants for each sport from those outlined in the 2011 Sports Facilities Plan (based on 2008 data) and 2013/14 participation levels. As shown: Netball, soccer and cricket have the highest participation levels Six out of the nine selected sports have shown strong growth o Rugby league - New club / sport o Baseball 70.1% o Netball % o Cricket % o Softball 18.1% o Soccer - 4.2% Soccer participation numbers are based on FFV player registrations and do not include social / casual participation Australian Rules football, hockey and athletics have experienced an overall decline in participation, however recent increases have been noted for athletics (since 2010/11) The number of required venues / facilities has increased for cricket (+3), soccer (+3) and rugby league in response to growing participation levels and demand, whilst the number of venues for Australian Rules football has declined (-1) due to the significant decline in player numbers (29%). 18

19 7.2 Profile of individual sports Current provision Participation trends / drivers of demand Key issues and opportunities Athletics 4 clubs / associations: Little Athletics (2) Senior Athletics (1) Masters (1) 409 members in 2013 from 513 in venues: Premier Reserve: Ross Reserve, Noble Park (synthetic track) Community Competition Reserve: Robert Booth Reserve, Dandenong (grass track) Australian Rules Football 13 Clubs from 15 clubs in junior clubs and 9 senior clubs 4 clubs offer Auskick 1,395 players in 2013 from 1,966 in 2008 Includes 181 Auskick participants 11 Venues and 18 Ovals: Premier: Shepley Oval Community Competition: Springvale Reserve, Noble Park Reserve, Greaves Reserve, Ross Reserve, Barry Powell Reserve, Wachter Reserve, Lois Twohig Reserve, Keysborough Reserve, Edinburgh Reserve, Thomas Carroll Reserve State: Participation rate of 0.4% for adults and 3.4% for children. Increasing participation for Little Athletics and Senior Athletics. Increasing popularity of running / jogging has led to greater interest in athletics. Local: Overall decline in participation since 2008, but recent growth noted, particularly Springvale Little Athletics Club) due to: o track resurfacing, lighting installation at Ross Reserve; o Friday evening competition (previously Saturday); and o the establishment of Haileybury AC at Ross Reserve. Strong demand for access to synthetic track from schools. Overall adequate provision of facilities to cater for demand. State: Participation rate of 2.0% for adults and 15.5% for children, which have declined since 2005/06. Local: Ranked 18 th most popular activity in CGD; 4% participation rate (CGD Participation Study, 2011). Significant decline in participation, particularly amongst juniors. Participation impacted by the high number of people from CALD communities (not familiar with the sport), and from competition from other outdoor sports (i.e. soccer). Growing support for football / netball clubs, as demonstrated by Keysborough and Sandown Cobras Football Netball Clubs. AFL Victoria is working with Council to develop a women s academy and multi-cultural programs at Shepley Oval. Facility provision is below industry benchmarks, but coping with current demand due to low / declining participation numbers in Greater Dandenong. Improvements at Ross Reserve have provided high standard facilities for all levels of athletics. Discus and hammer throwing cages required if Ross Reserve is to become field event compliant and host regional / state events. Pavilion improvements required at both Robert Booth Reserve and Ross Reserve (consolidation with soccer pavilion, as per master plan). Continuing need to upgrade aged pavilions to modern standards including: o unisex change rooms and amenities for males and females; o social / meeting spaces for parents to make clubs more family friendly. o additional change rooms to cater for multiple ovals (i.e. Thomas Carrol Reserve) Upgrade and installation of floodlighting required at most reserves to improve training conditions and spread use / wear across a broader area or secondary ground (and improve ground conditions). Availability of netball courts at venues or other nearby facilities (for football netball competition). 19

20 Current provision Participation trends / drivers of demand Key issues and opportunities Baseball 2 Clubs from 1 club in players in 2013 from 127 players in venue and 2 fields: Community Competition Reserve: Robert Booth Reserve, Dandenong Cricket 30 Clubs from 23 clubs in ,620 players in 2013 from 1,310 in 2008 Numbers exclude casual participants. 26 Venues and 38 Wickets / Grounds (18 turf, 20 synthetic) Premier (2): Shepley Oval and Greaves Reserve Community Competition Reserves (18): Alex Nelson, Barry Powell, Coomoora, Dandenong Park, Edinburgh Reserve, Fotheringham, Keysborough, Lois Twohig, Parkfield, Noble Park, Ross Reserve, Tatterson Park, Wachter, Warner, Turner, Keysborough Parish, Police Paddocks, Springvale, Thomas Carroll Reserve School Sports Reserves (5): Keysborough College (Chandler and Heatherhill), Noble Park Secondary, Yarraman Primary, Lyndale Secondary National and State: Local: National participation rate 0.1% for adults, 0.7% for children. Baseball Victoria has plans to establish satellite venues around metropolitan Melbourne capable of hosting championship style tournaments. Baseball / softball ranked 26 th most popular activities; 1% participation rate (CGD Participation Study, 2011). Significant increase in local participation, in particular junior and senior male participation. State: Participation rate of 2.0% for adults and 4.8% for children. Increased number of registered members at a State and National level, including the Extended Skills Program, Milo Cricket and Indoor Cricket. Growing popularity among women (8.8% increase since 2012/13). Local: Ranked 15 th most popular activity in CGD; 5% participation rate (CGD Participation Study). Strong growth in local participation, including Sunday League clubs and casual users, especially from CALD communities. Male participation continues to dominate, but female participation is increasing due to the presence of a local women s club playing at a premier level. Potential future need for additional grounds based on industry benchmarks (ranging from 3,000-4,500 people per ground) current participation levels and projected population growth. Poor lighting at Robert Booth Reserve which limits training to the infield. Need to upgrade and extend pavilion to modern standards, including the provision of additional change facilities. Identified need to liaise with Baseball Victoria to review the potential establishment of Robert Booth Reserve as a regional / satellite venue. (Draft Activate, 2014). Demonstrated need for multi-use playing areas to accommodate high demand for cricket grounds. Continuing need to upgrade aged pavilions to modern standards. Cricket net upgrades and installations required to cater for club training requirements and to enable more reserves to be used by cricket clubs. Identified need to: o Support Dandenong Women s Cricket Club to establish a home base for the club and upgrade facilities to a premier standard. (Draft Activate, 2014). o Investigate the potential for an indoor cricket facility (or a multi-purpose facility) within Greater Dandenong. (Draft Activate, 2014). 20

21 Current provision Participation trends / drivers of demand Key issues and opportunities Hockey 1 Club Greater Dandenong Warriers Hockey Club 227 players in 2013 from 310 in Venue: Premier: Mills Reserve, Dandenong (synthetic pitch and indoor sports court) Netball 3 Associations / Clubs 1,924 players in 2014 from 1,511 in 2008 D&DNA: 43 junior and 98 senior teams; Springers Leisure Centre: 125 teams 761 players registered with NV. from 796 in Venues and 22 courts Premier: Greaves Reserve: Gloria Pyke Netball Complex (4 indoor, 12 outdoor courts) Community Competition: Springers Leisure Centre, 5 indoor courts Keysborough Reserve, 1 outdoor court Rugby League 1 Club South East Titans Rugby Club established at Greaves Reserve in players in Venue: Greaves Reserve (2 senior, 1 junior ground) State: Participation rate of 0.4% for adults and 1.4% for children Overall growth in player numbers between 2011 and Local: Growth in juniors and social membership. Ranked 38 th most popular activity in Greater Dandenong; 1% participation rate (CGD Participation Study). Participation numbers have declined since State: The recruitment of players has been identified as a challenge due to travel requirements and costs. Participation rate of 3.5% for adults (up from 3.0% in 2009/10) and 8.0% for children (down from 9.4 % in 2009/10). Local: Netball Victoria reported its highest level of registered members for the fifth consecutive year in Netball is ranked 16 th most popular activity in Greater Dandenong; 5% participation rate (CGD Participation Study). Overall participation numbers have increased Participation is impacted by the high number of people from CALD communities who are not familiar with the sport. Despite the overall number of courts being below industry benchmarks, outdoor courts have capacity for greater use. (i.e. not all courts are required for D&DNA junior competition.) National: Participation rate 0.6% for adults and 3.9% for children. National participation levels have reportedly remained stable. Growth in Victorian participation at the junior level. Local: Increase in local participation associated with the establishment of a club at Greaves Reserve. Recent improvements including new pitch and lighting installation have provided high quality facilities for hockey in Greater Dandenong. Indoor court provides additional participation opportunities (i.e. training, summer competition). Identified need for a regional hockey feasibility study in conjunction with Hockey Victoria and Dandenong Warriers to assess the viability of a regional indoor hockey centre within Greater Dandenong (Draft Activate 2014). Identified need to work with Netball Victoria, Netball Australia and the Dandenong Netball Association (DNA) to review the potential for the Gloria Pyke Netball Complex to be a major regional facility. (Activate Draft, 2014), and Undertake a feasibility study into the future operation of the Gloria Pyke Netball Complex including a review of strategic directions and potential future expansion opportunities. (Activate Draft, 2014). player numbers require multiple grounds for training and competition. Lighting upgrade required to improve training conditions and spread ground use / wear and improve condition of playing surface. 21