Graham Coe Pavilion ready for STFA Finals

Local contractors are in the final stages of the new Cookbundoon Pavilion, with the project to be completed early this month which is set to benefit the clubs hailing in the Southern Tablelands Football Association.

Councillors in August resolved to name the building the Graham Coe Pavilion, in honour of his strong contribution to the sport and the formation of the Southern Tablelands Football Association.

The new pavilion includes six change rooms, a function room, canteen, officials change rooms, public amenities, storeroom, office and an undercover verandah.

“Football is perhaps the largest sport in our region based on player numbers, and this upgrade to provide essential facilities such as change rooms for our female players was overdue.

“I am pleased to see it now completed to a high standard, and I hope to be able to officially open it soon once restrictions are eased.

“It would be great to see the facilities utilised in 2021, so I hope the STFA are able to complete their finals series as planned,” said Mayor Bob Kirk.

Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor said this is another significant investment in the Goulburn community.

“Seeing facilities like this being delivered is another big win for the local community, and I’m looking forward to enjoying a game at Cookbundoon when local sport resumes,” said Mr Taylor.

STFA Football Manager Craig Norris said the association is excited to get to use the new pavilion.

“The addition of change rooms and in particular for our girls is huge for the sport and will be a game changer. Female participation in Football in our region is on the rise, with nearly a third of all our participants now being females which is fantastic.”

$572,884 for the project was obtained through the Federal Government Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program, with Goulburn Mulwaree Council also contributing $500,000.

Inclusive football facilities are one of the five key infrastructure priorities from the NSW Football Infrastructure Strategy. This area focuses on increasing and improving gender-neutral player and referee change rooms.

With the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup less than two years away, infrastructure upgrades such as this new amenity at Cookbundoon will allows Southern Tablelands to cater for the expected increase in females playing football.

Females will have access to six changerooms to change before and after games rather than changing in cars and behind trees.

The increase in female participation in safe and welcoming environments is a strategic priority of the NSW State Government and Football NSW.