A FORMER VFL player has weighed in on the debate over Subiaco oval, suggesting it be converted into the State Soccer Centre.
Andrew Purser, who is also a long-term Subiaco resident, said the new football stadium in Burswood was a better home for WA football but believed Subiaco oval could be the new home of soccer in WA.
“I’ve spoken to a number of Subiaco councillors and suggested they lobby the State Government for the Subiaco oval and its associated infrastructure be converted and become the State Soccer Centre of Excellence, which soccer desperately needs,” he said.
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READ NOW“Perth Glory currently trains on McGillivray Oval in Mt Claremont, with no facilities.
“Subiaco should embrace the next big participation sport dominating the younger generation and become the State’s custodian of the world game.”
Football West announced last month its $45 million plan to transform Ashfield Reserve in Bassendean into the home of soccer in WA.
The peak soccer body for WA said they were still in the process of securing funding for the precinct.
Football West chairman Liam Twigger said Subiaco was considered in the business case for the State Football Centre, which was produced by the Department of Sport and Recreation and Building Management and Works.
Mr Purser said he thought Subiaco Oval would be a better option in such turbulent economic times.
He said Ashfield Reserve had very little existing infrastructure compared to what the Eagles would be leaving behind at Subiaco oval.
“In these hard economic times for the State Government you’d think Subiaco Oval would be a much more economically viable option,” he said.
“Subiaco Council continue to bang on about alternate AFL options for the oval, when soccer would be a great fit for all parties.”
City of Subiaco Don Burnett said the city had not had any discussions about converting Subiaco oval into the State Soccer Centre.
“The City is focused on investigating a range of options for the future provision of active recreation space at Subiaco oval, which could be used for a range of sporting configurations,” he said.
“Community consultation on four scenarios for Subiaco oval will open this week together with the draft North Subiaco Structure Plan, and this community and stakeholder feedback will be used to inform future discussion for the long-term future of the precinct.”