Robin Scott (MLA Preston), Travis Dowling (LTUHC Life Member), Colin Brooks (MLA Bundoora), John Eren (Shadow Minister for Sport and MLA Lara) and Greg Van Meeuwen (LTUHC Life Member and Vic Leauge 1 Coach)
A delegation from the La Trobe University Hockey Club (LTUHC) was very happy today to meet with the Shadow Minister for Sport in Victoria, John Eren, the Member for Bundoora, Colin Brooks, the Member for Preston, Robin Scott and the Member for Northern Metropolitan Region, Nazih Elasmar at Parliament House.
“It is fantastic to have the strong support of so many northern suburb Members of Parliament who recognise the importance of sport in our region” club President Zac Martin said.
“We had very constructive conversations with the MP’s who were impressed by the growth of the La Trobe University Hockey club and its commitment to providing sporting options for women in sport in Melbourne’s north.”
Greg Van Meeuwen, Life Member, Vic League 1 Coach and Australian representative for Masters Hockey explained to the MP’s the value of hockey in Melbourne’s north and how the current inadequate facilities at La Trobe were limiting student and community involvement.
Colin Brooks MLA, is the club Patron of the La Trobe University Hockey club and has supported the club over the last 4 years in its bid to have new facilities developed on campus at La Trobe.
David Feeney, Federal Labor candidate for Batman has also come on board with strong support earlier in the week for the new facilities.
All of the MP’s viewed the comprehensive business case for new hockey facilities on campus at La Trobe and were supportive of the significant efforts the club has made to work with the University administration and the Commonwealth Government to provide a much needed sports hub at La Trobe to boost sports participation.
La Trobe University is the only major University in Victoria that does not have synthetic fields on campus for student sport such as hockey.
“We are a grass roots sporting club that was established in 1967. We cater for junior teams, and are strong advocates for promoting women in sport and cultural diversity. The Club also has low fees to enable students and disadvantaged residents in the northern suburbs to participate in sport” said Mr Martin.
The MP’s present at today’s meeting will now explore a number of options to assist in achieving the much needed new hockey facilities at La Trobe University.
“We would really like to thank Colin Brooks MLA, John Eren MLA, Robin Scott MLA and Nazih Elasmar MLC for their support for grass roots community sport in Melbourne’s north.”