Oakleigh Cannons FC and the Victorian State Government announced funding
for a new pavilion and facility upgrade at Jack Edwards Reserve.
Jack Edwards Reserve is home to the Oakleigh Cannons and Chisolm United.
Club President Stan Papayianneris expressed his excitement for the welcome news after he,
alongside club chairman Kon Kavalakis and other members of the Oakleigh board, started
this journey three years ago with Federal MP Clare O’Neil.

“This project is not just a football project; it is a community project; Oakleigh Cannons and
Jack Edwards Reserve are a social hub, a meeting point for parents, grandparents, siblings,”
Mr Papayianneris said.

“Now the state government in their foresight and entrustment in us have decided that the
facilities should be improved. Further, they will add to the existing facilities, and hopefully,
upon completion, it will be something that is considered world-class.
“This facility is going to be a step closer to our goal of having a women’s team in the NPL; it
is going to provide the infrastructure that’s required.”

The grant enables the club to take one step closer to having Women’s NPL teams and
providing a pathway for the young girls playing for Chisolm United.
Local MP Steve Dimopoulos, who had the pleasure of announcing the grant for the club,
expressed the importance of the upcoming changes.

“It is one of the anchors of the Oakleigh community; when you talk about a community
anchor, there is probably no bigger than the Cannons and Jack Edwards Reserve,” he said.
“The Victorian government this year has fully committed and confirmed a $4 million grant to
help achieve this vision.”

Club Chairman Kon Kavalakis gave a passionate speech at the announcement of this
upcoming project – expressing his desire to see this completed and be a stepping stone for
the club.
“It has been an unbelievable journey with a lot of hurdles, and we have overcome every
single one of them,” he said.

“I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank Local MP Steve Dimopoulos and the
Monash City council for their continued support throughout this process.”
In conjunction with the Monash City council, we look forward to working together to
complete the new pavilion and facility upgrade.
“This is the moment the Oakleigh Cannons have been waiting for; there is nothing stopping
us now,” said Mr Kavalakis
The commencement of this project in 2022 coincides with the Oakleigh Cannons 50th
Anniversary.