Moneghetti backs the bid

The all-time distance running great was yesterday unveiled as the ambassador for the “Back the Bid” campaign – aimed at completing the multimillion-dollar Ballarat Regional Football Facility at Morshead Park ahead of the 2015 Asian Cup.

Moneghetti’s key roles will be to promote the campaign, which hopes to culminate in Ballarat hosting a nation in the lead-up to the Cup in December 2014-January 2015.

Ballarat mayor John Burt and “Back the Bid” chairman Duncan Smith were also on hand to launch the campaign logo, which uses the Eureka flag as the focal point. 

“I hope to give the campaign more of an international flavour,” Moneghetti said.

“I like to think that I offer the bid some credibility, and hopefully my name is more of a household link in some of the Asian countries,” he said.

With $5.3 million required to complete the facility, Ballarat City Council has submitted an application for a $2.675 million dollar-for-dollar grant from the federal government’s Regional Development Australia Fund.

Smith labelled the construction of the facility as a “marathon” effort, with the complex entering its fifth year of development.

“This is a fantastic day for football in Ballarat,” Smith said.

“This facility will touch many, many people in Ballarat over the years, and the community is the real beneficiary of this.” 

If the funding is approved, Smith expects the facility to be completed by July next year.

michael.pollock@fairfaxmedia.com.au