The Allan Labor Government is ready to welcome the next generation of sports stars in Victoria with the construction of a new world-class sports and education centre.
Premier Jacinta Allan and Deputy Premier and Minister for Education Ben Carroll have announced funding of $6 million for the Aspire Sports Centre, which will convert the Coburg Moreland Bowls Club site into a permanent home for the Bachar Houli Foundation and the fast-growing Islamic College of Sport.
The Islamic College of Sport will offer a unique and focused program for Muslim students who are seeking a combination of a high-performance sports environments, a choice of education offering an inclusive and active place where both Muslim and non-Muslim Victorians can connect through sport.
The project will have a new main school campus including 12 new flexible use classrooms, a breakout area for students, staff administrative facilities, separate toilet facilities for staff and students, and dedicated access to sports facilities such as a high-performance gym, two indoor courts and brand new changerooms.
Outside of school hours, the facility will be used by local community and sporting clubs, with a focus on enabling Muslim women and girls’ participation in sport by providing a culturally safe and welcoming space. This will include having dedicated times and spaces for all women’s sport, recreation activities and programs.
The Bachar Houli Foundation has a long history of building connection through mentorship and sport in the Victorian community. The Foundation’s school will support 76 students in Year 11 and 12 through their VCE studies and with this important investment will expand across Years 7 to 10 in the coming years.
The investment comes as part of the Labor Government’s $30 million commitment to build and upgrade Islamic schools, as part of a fund to improve low-fee non-government schools.
The Labor Government has established a $450 million fund in partnership with the Non-Government School sector to upgrade and build new non-government schools across Victoria.