Through lateral thinking and collaboration, Darebin has secured funding to build one of Melbourne’s most prominent sporting precincts, the Darebin International Sports Centre (DISC), which will be the State Soccer Centre, State Cycling Centre and State Bowls Centre.
It has a Velodrome accredited by the Union of Cyclists Internationale (which means official world records can be set there); three synthetic soccer pitches with accreditation from FIFA, the sport’s international agency; and a Lawn Bowls Centre that will host a variety of high profile events including the Commonwealth Games.
By creating partnerships between previously unrelated groups, these sports have been able to gain top class facilities that would have been too expensive separately. Council sought funding from several sources and, by linking a number of sporting and government agencies, has been able to build this complex. Apart from the wider economic spin offs, the local community stands to gain much. Football Federation Victoria and Cycle SportsVictoria have their headquarters at DISC, alongside the Darebin City Bowling Club.
As well as organising elite events, the State bodies are committed to running grass roots and development programs from the Centre. All three sports will host local competitions and schools are also scheduled to use the facilities. The Victorian Junior Boys and Junior Girls Soccer Championships will be played at DISC.
During the 2006 Commonwealth Games competitions, Darebin expects more than 5,000 visitors to attend DISC each day. The Lawn Bowls Centre will also host the annual Australian Championships, Trans Tasman test matches and the upcoming Asia Pacific Bowls Championship involving 31 countries. The velodrome will host state, national and international events and has already held the national juniors and veterans titles with new world records set.
For more information about DISC, contact Stuart Burdack on (03) 9230 4301.
