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 Victory Fans Stadium Action Group (VFSAG) The main aim of the Victory Fans Stadium Action Group (VFSAG) is to give a voice to the supporters of the Melbourne Victory Football Club regarding the proposed rectangular stadium in the Olympic Park precinct. In April 2006, the Victorian State government announced plans to build a rectangular stadium with a capacity of 20,000. While most Melbourne Victory fans welcomed this announcement, there was some disquiet that it may be too small for the crowds that Melbourne Victory was attracting. These fears were borne out during the 2006/07 season, when attendances for Melbourne Victory matches averaged 26 000 - 30,000, following the move from Olympic Park to the bigger Telstra Dome. The VFSAG helped in successfully lobbying the government to increase the size of the stadium. The current proposal allows for a minimum of 31,500 seats is MFVC signs on, and future proofing the foundations to allow an eventual expansion. We believe that the current proposal is an acceptable size.
The current campaign: Safe Standing As well as urging an increase in size from 20,000, we suggested that the government consider safe standing room as part of the fit-out of the stadium. We hold that safe standing room will both increase the capacity of the stadium within the current two – tier design, and also enhance the experience of active supporters. The German experience has shown that safe standing areas are compatible with modern stadia. The suggestion was well received. There was an agreement to investigate the possibility of flexible seating/safe standing areas - this involves discussions with the police, the Olympic Trust, the design team and interested parties. VFSAG were invited to submit further information and argument in favour of safe standing. This is ongoing. Though we are somewhat hampered by the uncertainty as to whether MVFC will find the proposal commercially acceptable, we plan to continue to lobby about this project from the point of view of active (home end) supporters. The VFSAG has prepared a presentation about how safe standing with flexible seating is a feasible option for the new Melbourne rectangular stadium. Please link here to access the presentation. |