A growing Sunshine Coast football club has welcomed funding to ensure its fields and facilities are in great shape.
The Bli Bli United Football Club was a successful recipient of Sunshine Coast Council’s Sports Field Maintenance Funding Program.
Club official Eddie Muller said the support was invaluable.
“It’s been an important one for our volunteer-run club,” he said.
“The money helps us maintain our fields: everything from mowing to fertiliser, irrigation and line marking.
“The money we would have needed to save and fundraise (to fund field maintenance) would have eaten into the kitty of the club.
“We can instead use those funds to purchase equipment and keep our fees down for families.”
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Mr Muller and his fellow volunteers can spend more than six hours a week ensuring the fields are in top condition, and also receive support from council to understand how best to care for the grounds.
The 42-year-old has been part of the local football scene for three decades.
After joining a squad at 12 years old, the proud local now serves as the vice-president of the Bli Bli United Football Club and president of the Sunshine Coast Churches Soccer Association.
He’s played, coached and been a committee member for his beloved Bli Bli team and says it’s the team spirit, atmosphere and close connections that keep him coming back year after year.
“In team sport, you’re playing for someone else,” he said.
“People are relying on you and vice-versa, and I think that’s the best way to be in life as well – you need support around you.”
Matildas superstar Kyra Cooney-Cross played for the club as a child and Mr Muller said the success of the Australian women’s national team had significantly increased interest in the game.
The Bli Bli club already has 30 extra registrations for the 2024 season and an all-girls under-7s team called the Bli Bli Queens.
Inspired to give back by those who volunteered before him, Mr Muller said seeing kids being active, making friends and participating in team sport was rewarding.
“I’m part of a committee who wants to see the club thrive for years to come and it’s the enthusiasm of other volunteers which makes volunteering so enjoyable,” he said.
Sunshine Coast councillor Maria Suarez said council was proud to contribute to the ongoing success of community sport.
“Community sport is important not just for our physical and emotional wellbeing, but it creates strong bonds within our society,” she said.
“Eddie and other volunteers like him inspire us with their tireless dedication and I’d like to congratulate him for his efforts over many years.
“No doubt many lives are improved, and more opportunities created for future generations thanks to the devotion of our Sunshine Coast volunteers.”
The Sports Field Maintenance Funding Program offers up to three years of funding to not-for-profit organisations that have responsibility for the maintenance of community sports fields.
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