FC Eaglehawk will have enhanced lighting at its home ground after securing a $219,000 government community sports grant.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
FC Eaglehawk president Ben Pengelly said new lighting would enhance the safety of all players who used the facilities at night.
"Once the women finish their training they have to secure the facility in complete darkness," Pengelly said.
"They turn off the lights at the main switch and it's then complete darkness - it's not a safe environment.
"This will enhance the facility so it can be locked-up under the cover of light."
Grace Edlin, 20, has played with FC Eaglehawk for three years and welcomed the announcement.
"We're going to be able to train after hours and the girls won't need to have the boys around to make us feel safe at night," Edlin said.
Edlin first came to FC Eaglehawk because "it was the girls who attracted me to the club".
"It's fantastic to see how far women in sport have come in comparison to when I was a junior," Edlin said.
In addition to improving safety measures, the lighting will give the club an opportunity to host more Saturday night games at Truscott Reserve.
"In our world, there's a lot of people who want soccer to grow," Pengelly said.
"And the opportunity to grow is through hosting more Saturday night games."
Pengelly said the club had been "working hard" towards upgrading the facilities.
"This project has been a work in progress, we are shovel ready and this funding will make it a reality," he said.
"FC Eaglehawk is so excited about this opportunity - it will enhance community spirit in Eaglehawk."
The announcement was made by Federal Bendigo MP Lisa Chesters.
"Until now, the opportunity for teams to play on the main pitch has been limited to the light hours of the day," Chesters said.
"Lighting and security upgrades will give junior and women's sides a better chance to access the best facilities at the club."
The club is preparing for the start of 2019 season, with pre-season training currently underway.
Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.