Shore Reserve is a much-loved local sporting ground and playground based in the northern suburbs of Melbourne. 

It is used by the West Coburg Sports Club, which encompasses West Coburg Softball, Netball, Cricket and Football clubs. This covers approximately 1000 members and families across many culturally diverse backgrounds. The ground is also used as an off-lead dog park and has two playgrounds frequented by many local families.

The facilities are uninviting, tired and second-rate and are not suitable to host functions. They lack utility with dingy umpires’ rooms which double as a storage space. The opposition change rooms are completely inadequate in terms of size and facilities. The facilities are among the worst in the league, if not the worst. This is unsatisfactory for a club which has a proud history spanning 96 years.

The facilities have no gender-neutral change rooms or a specific prayer room which is unacceptable for any community sport. The facilities need to be inclusive and urgently need new changerooms, toilets, social spaces, and upgraded environmentally sustainable lighting to make the precinct SAFE and USABLE for sporting and public use. 

Our goal for this ground and facilities is to be a beacon to the community so all local, visiting clubs and organizations can use it in a safe and positive way.

Our local women, girls, and non-binary persons are unable to utilize the facilities to play sport here as they should be in 2023. They are forced to play their sport at secondary grounds.  Help us end discrimination in sport. Our committee is fully committed to playing female sport at Shore Reserve once the rooms are upgraded.

The existing club rooms, change rooms, and parkland amenities are owned by Merri-Bek Council. The redevelopment has been discussed for a number of years with council but no action taken, resulting in the club rooms remaining significantly under-developed. 

Currently there is money allocated in this years council budget for redevelopment. 

Merri-Bek budget

Merri-bek Council, we ask you to please follow through on the money allocated in this years budget for an upgrade to these rooms by engaging with all users, agreeing to the design of new facilities and delivering them ASAP. 

If you are a Shore Reserve user, a local resident, a player, sponsor or supporter, of West Coburg Football Club, please sign this petition so we can ask the council to make this a safe and inclusive sporting precinct.