Busselton District Junior Football Association claims they’ve been forced to play in sub par conditions and facilities after the City of Busselton moved all the clubs from their ovals.
Association secretary Jess Bass said several clubs have lost their home grounds, forcing them to all use two ovals.
“Not only is it incredibly difficult to fit all the clubs and members on these two ovals, but the conditions are also terrible. Bovell 2 doesn’t drain, it’s full of divots and holes, it’s simply not safe to play on. Bovell 3 has a cricket pitch in the middle and only one working light,” she said.
Mrs Bass said they had about 900 players, which could mean they have 1800 or more spectators at games.
“We have had to move our games to high school grounds at short notice because Bovell 2 simply isn’t usable in these conditions,” she said. The association believed the move was because the ovals were earmarked for other sports.
“It has forced us to separate, it has really taken away from the community feeling we used to have.”
The city said that to minimise inconvenience, clubs were moved to ovals that could be utilised within the same grounds. Busselton Director Community and Commercial Services Naomi Searle said the city was planning to work with the Department for Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries to further develop sporting facilities.
“The city is planning on a Vasse Geographe Sports Facilities Plan in the near future to help guide and inform the development of existing and future sporting facilities at Bovell.
Clubs and users will be consulted in the process of developing the plan and have opportunity to inform the future of the facility.
The department is looking to their 2018/19 budget to commence this work,” Ms Searle said.
In regards to the conditions, Ms Searle said repair works have been halted due to bad weather.
“Holes in the ovals were planned to be filled and sand was delivered to site, however, due to the inclement weather, the city has been unable to get a machine onto the grounds. As soon as the grounds dry out, this work will be completed,” she said.
“There has always been a cricket pitch on Oval 3. Many sporting ovals are designed to be multi-use and cater for summer and winter sport. At the beginning of each season city staff put matting over the pitch, which offers protection, should anyone fall in this area.”