A major Sebastopol sporting facility is being revamped to encourage more young people to get on the ball.
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St George's Reserve pitches will be sand-profiled and at elite level once completed, after a $1.4 million refurbishment of the two soccer fields and new flood lights funded by City of Ballarat.
As the grass was rolled out and rolled over on Thursday, Sam Young from the Vikings Football Club told The Courier being able to have quality training sessions at the reserve would give players "a sense of importance".
"Soccer is continuing to grow, it's just a matter of getting these better quality facilities, so it's more exciting for (junior players) to come through," he said.
While the reserve's main pitch has often become waterlogged after a large downpour, the number two pitch was "not in a state to have games on it, there was literally no grass," Mr Young said.
South Ward councillor Des Hudson said when there is investment in quality sports fields, "the flow on effect is hopefully, more people playing sport more often".
"For the players of today, both juniors and seniors, men and women, they will absolutely love running out here. It'll build a really strong club culture and give the club the potential to showcase soccer and build their numbers," he said.