Liberal Candidate for Albany Andrew Partington criticised the City of Albany and the Labor Government for the condition of some of the facilities after a recent inspection with Shadow Sport and Recreation Minister Barry House.

Mr Partington said one of the sports in desperate need was soccer.

“The facilities do not meet an acceptable standard,” Mr Partington said.

“The clubrooms are tired and inadequate, the pitches are in need of redevelopment and the public toilets in need of replacement.

“I feel sorry for the dedicated coaches and administrators who do their best to maintain a tired facility.

“The basic infrastructure is just not up to an acceptable standard.”

Mr Partington said the soccer association had been given little or no support from the City despite numerous requests for assistance.

“Instead of the council sending a ratepayer-funded delegation to France, it could lead a delegation to our local soccer grounds,” he said.

Mr Partington said football was also in need of support, particularly the Royals and Railways clubs, which should have been co-located at a new facility near Centennial Oval years ago.

He said he had also spoken to cricket officials who had pushed for clubrooms to be built near their main oval on North Road, but the City had opposed their plans.

Mr Partington said the Labor Government had shown no support for sport and recreation in Albany.

“Sport is such an important part of life in communities like ours,” he said.

“Sport provides kids with life skills they will be able to draw on throughout their adult life.

“To see our facilities in such a poor state is just not good enough.”