The Best Soccer Fields and Pitches in Melbourne for Training
Looking for soccer fields with goals in Melbourne? Trying to find a ground with nets for shooting practice, or a decent pitch for a kick? It sounds simple, but finding a good spot to train — one with decent grass, usable goals, and enough space to work without dodging dog walkers and other sports — isn’t always easy.
I coach across Melbourne and I've trained at most of these grounds myself, so this isn't a list pulled from Google Maps. It's based on what I actually know about each location — the surface, the goals, the nets, the parking, and how useful they are for soccer training.
A few things worth noting before we get into it. Ground conditions change with the seasons, clubs lock and unlock goals at different times, and council maintenance schedules vary. What I've described below is accurate as of when I last visited, but it's always worth a quick check if you're making a special trip. I do try to update this list from time-to-time so it is accurate though. Also, as a general rule, most of these grounds are quiet and available during weekday daytime hours. They get busy after school, on weekday evenings when clubs are training, and on weekends during game time. Outside of those windows, you'll rarely have a problem getting on.
Key Takeaways
Not all grounds are equal — surface quality, goal availability, and how busy they get varies enormously across Melbourne
Synthetic pitches are the most reliable option for consistent surface quality, especially in winter
Goals with nets make a huge difference for shooting practice — this guide highlights which grounds have them
Many of the best spots are at local soccer club grounds that are open to the public outside of training hours
I coach at many of these locations — if you're looking for a session, these are some of the grounds we can meet at
Albert Park (Field 7/8 Synthetic Pitches)
Albert Park is one of the best all-round options in Melbourne for soccer training. The synthetic fields (Paul Wade Field 7/8) are the best soccer options — two full-size synthetic pitches with at least six full-size netted goals on wheels. If you want to do shooting practice with proper goals and nets, this is one of the most reliable spots in the city. Beyond the synthetics, there are plenty of grass fields around the park as well, usually well maintained. Even on busy days you'll find a spot. The combination of synthetic and grass options, plus the sheer amount of space, makes Albert Park hard to beat. Floodlit for evening use.
Surface: Synthetic pitches are decent options, although they are quite hard. Grass fields are generally well maintained. Goals: Multiple full-size netted goals on the synthetic pitches. Some grass fields have in-ground goals during soccer season, usually without nets. Parking: Plenty of spaces, paid parking. Worth noting: The synthetic fields can get booked during peak times, so there's a chance you might not get a goal if you turn up on a busy evening or weekend. Best for: Shooting practice (synthetic pitches with netted goals), ball mastery, general training.
Gosch's Paddock (Richmond)
Right next to AAMI Park, this is where Melbourne Victory FC men’s team train. The surface quality reflects that — it's arguably the best grass you'll find at any public ground in Melbourne. Like a carpet. If you want to know what a premium training surface feels like, this is the place.
There are rugby goals in the ground on one of the fields which can double as soccer goals (without nets). There are also netted soccer goals, but they're tied up to the side when the A-League team isn't training — and obviously can't be used when they are. The main draw here is the surface itself. There is also large netting in areas around the ground, which you can use as a backstop for shooting practice. Floodlit for evening use and the lights are regularly left on.
Surface: Premium — maintained for professional teams. The best grass surface on this list. Goals: Rugby goals in the ground (usable as soccer goals, no nets). Netted soccer goals exist but tied up when MVFC aren't training (can use the large nets around the field to practice shooting technique though). Parking: No car parks right next to the field. Street parking nearby and then a short walk across. Worth noting: Avoid when Victory or Storm are training — the fields are off limits. Best for: Ball mastery, technical work on a premium surface, shooting against the backstop netting.
Fawkner Park (South Yarra)
Fawkner Park has plenty of fields, many with soccer goals in the ground. The best soccer fields (home of South Yarra SC) are closest to the Alfred Hospital end of the park. You can find netted goals on Cordner Oval (see above image) — when not in use by the club, they're locked to the outer ring fence but still usable for shooting and finishing practice. Flood lighting is often on at Cordner Oval and the nearby soccer fields – take advantage of this in the early evening when the grounds are not yet in use by the club.
Surface: Decent grass, well maintained — particularly Cordner Oval and the main soccer pitches at the hospital end. Goals: In-ground soccer goals on several fields. Netted goals on Cordner Oval (locked to fence but usable). Parking: Street parking around the perimeter. Good public transport access via trams. Best for: General training, shooting practice (Cordner Oval netted goals particularly), ball mastery on open grass.
Kevin Bartlett Reserve (Richmond)
Pictured above are the four main soccer fields at Kevin Bartlett Reserve. Two main grass fields in pristine condition, plus two secondary pitches that also have good grass. Lots of goals — big and small, most with nets. The majority are tied to the fence but you can use the back of them for the same effect, and some aren't tied at all. In-ground goals on all but one of the fields, and that field has movable netted goals instead. Note that you might get asked to move off the two main pitches if they're reserved, but the secondary fields are just as usable. Floodlit for evening use.
Surface: Excellent grass — the main two fields are among the best on this list for grass quality. Goals: Plenty of options. In-ground goals on most fields, movable netted goals on one. Most tied to fences but usable from the back, some untied. Parking: Car parks once you pull into the park. Best for: All-round training on quality grass. Good goal availability makes it a solid option for shooting practice too.
HA Smith Reserve (Hawthorn)
Very nice grass for a local field — one of the better surfaces you'll find at a community ground. Goals in the ground during soccer season across two full-size fields. Fences at one end to stop stray balls, and upward slopes on the other sides so balls won't run away. There’s typically a full-sized netted goal on wheels — see it in the middle of the above image in the background facing towards the back fence. Floodlit for evening use.
Surface: Very good grass — above average for a local field. Goals: In-ground goals during soccer season. Potentially some netted goals on wheels. Parking: Street parking. Best for: Technical work on quality grass. Potentially shooting practice if the wheeled netted goals are still available.
Lord Reserve (Carnegie)
Home of Glen Eira FC. Big open space with decent grass. Lots of goals — the full-sized ones are usually tied up, but smaller 9-a-side goals with nets are usually scattered around the park (as you can see in the above image). One field has full-sized in-ground goals without nets. Has floodlights but the grounds are normally full when they are on.
Surface: Decent grass, big open area. Goals: Full-sized goals usually tied up. Smaller 9-a-side goals with nets usually scattered around the park and available to use. Full-sized in-ground goals without nets on one field. Parking: Street parking around the field. Large car park across the road at the aquatics centre. Worth noting: Quite a few dog walkers. Completely full during club training times, but outside of those times it's more than usable. Best for: General training, ball mastery. Shooting practice for younger players on the smaller netted goals.
Darebin SC / Mayer Park (Thornbury)
Home of Darebin United Soccer Club. Not the best grass, but it more than makes up for it with goal availability. Two full-size fields with full goals that have nets up even when the club isn't using them — which is rare in Melbourne. There are also some smaller 9-a-side goals with nets. A big net behind one of the goals stops stray balls. Floodlit for evening use.
Surface: Grass is average — not the best maintained, but perfectly usable. Goals: Four full-size goals with nets (consistently up). Smaller 9-a-side goals with nets. Big backstop net behind one goal. Parking: Street parking on surrounding streets. Best for: Shooting and finishing practice — the consistently netted goals make this one of the better spots in Melbourne for it.
Campbell Reserve / Moreland City FC (Coburg)
Nice grass, two fields side by side, full-size goals with nets. The goals normally face the fence (as you can see in the background of the above image), but you can use the back of the nets — same effect. Some smaller goals scattered around as well. A small fence around the perimeter keeps your ball from running away. Floodlit for evening use.
Surface: Good grass, well maintained. Goals: Full-size goals with nets on both fields. Smaller goals available. Parking: Small car park at the entrance, or street parking nearby. Worth noting: Completely empty during the day when I've been there. The full facility will be unusable during club training times. Best for: All-round training — good grass, netted goals, contained space.
Princes Park (Carlton North)
During soccer season there are five or more full-size fields with goals in the ground, but no nets left up when not in use. Some goals with nets exist but they get locked up. Lots of fields and decent grass with plenty of room. Floodlit for evening use. At the far end near Crawford Oval, however, there are a couple of full-sized goals with nets — head there if you want to do shooting work.
Surface: Decent grass. Large open spaces. Goals: Many fields with in-ground goals during season (no nets), except the field at the Crawford Oval end which has full-sized netted goals. Parking: Street parking around the park. Public transport access via tram. Worth noting: Shared with AFL and cricket use, but the park is large enough that I've never had a problem finding space. Best for: General training, shooting practice (Crawford Oval end for netted goals).
Royal Park — Ryder Oval (Parkville)
Ryder Oval is the soccer field out the back — full-size pitch with decent grass and in-ground goals without nets. Nothing behind them though, so you'll be chasing balls if you're doing shooting work. Three grass footy ovals serve as backups, and the Western Oval has full fencing around it to stop stray balls. Lots of car parking when you pull in and around the fields. This is mainly an option for space and decent grass — given the goal situation there are better choices if shooting practice is your priority.
Surface: Decent grass on Ryder Oval. Backup ovals are serviceable. Goals: Full-size in-ground goals without nets. No backstop fencing on the soccer field. Parking: Plenty — car parks at the entrance and around the fields. Best for: Ball mastery, technical work, and general training where you just need space and good grass.
Yarra Bend Park — Fairfield Park (Fairfield)
The main option here is Fairfield Park — two full-size pitches with in-ground goals (no nets) and very nice grass. Some smaller goals exist but they're locked away. Floodlit for evening use. If you drive further into the park towards Yarra Bend Golf Course, there are a few more ovals with okay grass if you just need room. Right at the end of the road (as far as you can drive into the park) there's one more soccer field with full-size in-ground goals that usually have nets hanging from them. They're not the best goals, but if you want nets it's worth trying your luck here — note there's a wall behind one goal and a big drop-off about 20 metres behind the other, so be mindful of where your shots end up. Personally, Fairfield Park is my main option and that second field is a backup.
Surface: Very nice grass at Fairfield Park. Other ovals further in are okay. Goals: Full-size in-ground goals at Fairfield Park (no nets). Full-size goals with nets at the soccer field right at the end of the road in the park (although not great quality). Parking: Car parking at Fairfield Park and along the road into the park. Best for: General training and ball mastery on quality grass at Fairfield Park. The far end field is a backup option if you specifically want nets.
JJ Holland Park (Kensington)
Home of Kensington City Soccer Club. Two nice, well-maintained grass ovals and one full-size synthetic soccer pitch. The synthetic is really nice – really high quality and quite forgiving underfoot (not like some other synthetic fields that can feel quite hard). Apparently it’s one of Australia's first synthetic fields to comply with international soccer standards. It has full-size goals on wheels at either end, though they don't have nets. There are two more full-size goals on wheels on the adjacent oval, also without nets. A big fence behind one end of the synthetic stops stray balls, but there's no fence at the other end. Some smaller 9-a-side goals exist but they're locked behind a fence — presumably only brought out when the club is using them. Floodlit for evening use. I believe Kensington City SC train on the synthetic Monday and Wednesday evenings, so avoid those times if you want access.
If you're in the area and JJ Holland is busy, Newmarket Reserve is about a five-minute drive away. One pitch with full-size in-ground goals (no nets) and a big fence behind one end. The grass is nice but the field is noticeably slopey, so it's a backup option rather than a destination.
Surface: Synthetic is excellent (resurfaced 2022). Grass ovals are well maintained. Goals: Full-size goals on wheels on the synthetic and adjacent oval — no nets. Big net behind one end. Smaller goals locked away for club use only. Parking: Limited car parking within the park, street parking around it. South Kensington station is just across the road. Best for: All options really – ball mastery, technical work and even shooting practice if you can use the side of the pitch with the net behind the goal.
Clifton Park (Brunswick)
Really nice synthetic field with full-size in-ground goals with nets and big fences behind both goals to stop stray balls. One of the more complete setups you'll find — nets and backstop fences at both ends is rare. A second grass field behind the synthetic has in-ground goals without nets as a backup option, and there's a footy oval behind that for even more space. Floodlit for evening use but pitch is normally full when they are on.
Surface: Excellent synthetic. Grass backup is decent. Goals: Full-size in-ground netted goals on synthetic. Big fences behind both goals. In-ground goals without nets on the grass field. Parking: Street parking. Best for: Shooting and finishing practice — the combination of netted goals and fences at both ends makes this one of the best setups on this list.
Port Melbourne FC / JL Murphy Reserve (Port Melbourne)
Home of Port Melbourne Sharks (NPL) and arguably the best facility on this list. An amazing new synthetic pitch (first and second pics) with two full-size netted goals, big fences behind both goals and all around the pitch, plus several 9-a-side netted goals available to use on the field as well. Beyond the synthetic, there's an excellent main grass field (third pic) with in-ground netted goals at either end and big fences behind the goals. A secondary grass field (fourth pic) in very good condition has two full-size netted goals on wheels and several 9-a-side netted goals. There are also multiple other grass ovals with good quality grass if all the soccer-specific fields are taken, though unless you go at a very busy time they shouldn't be.
Surface: Synthetic is brand new and excellent. Main grass field is outstanding. Secondary grass field in very good condition. Goals: Netted goals everywhere — full-size and 9-a-side on the synthetic, in-ground netted goals on the main grass field, movable netted goals on the secondary grass. Fences behind goals on both the synthetic and main grass. Parking: Street parking. Best for: Everything. The combination of a premium synthetic, quality grass fields, netted goals across multiple pitches, and backstop fences makes this arguably the most complete facility on the list.
Ron Barassi Snr Park (Docklands)
Home of Docklands Athletic FC. Cool spot right on the Yarra. Two grounds side by side with goals in the ground — no nets. Convenient if you're in the Docklands area. The grass is usually in good condition. Floodlit for evening use.
Surface: Grass is generally well maintained. Goals: In-ground goals on both fields — no nets. Parking: Street parking around the field and a car park at the far end. Tram access and then a short walk. Best for: Ball mastery, technical work, general training. Adequate for shooting practice given the goals, but note no nets.
Springers Leisure Centre - Tatterson Park (Keysborough)
Behind the leisure centre (Tatterson Park) there's a synthetic pitch with full-sized netted goals. It is a high-quality synthetic pitch with great big fences behind the goals to stop any stray shots. Floodlit for evening use. Plus, there are lots of usually well-maintained grass fields with goals in the ground beside it. The in-ground goals on the grass fields aren't usually netted. However, on my last visit there were at least a dozen netted goals scattered around the ovals - some tied to the outer fence but others movable.
Surface: Synthetic pitch plus well-maintained grass fields. Goals: In-ground netted goals on the synthetic and big fences behind to stop stray shots. Lots of in-ground goals on grass fields (usually no nets). Plenty of netted movable goals scattered around the grass fields as well! Parking: Leisure centre car park — plenty of space. Worth noting: The synthetic is the most popular spot for people having a kick, particularly the goals at either end. I don't usually have trouble getting on though, and if I do there are plenty of grass fields to fall back on. Best for: Shooting (and everything else) on the synthetic and the grass alternatives - can’t really fault it.
Monash University Clayton Campus (Clayton)
Massive synthetic facility. Three full-size pitches with in-ground netted goals on each field — six full-size netted goals in total — plus nets behind the goals to stop stray shots. There are also a couple of small-sided fields with smaller netted goals. Great surface quality. Floodlit for evening use.
Surface: Excellent synthetic across all pitches. Goals: Six full-size netted goals across three pitches. Smaller netted goals on small-sided fields. Backstop nets behind goals. Parking: Large parking area, but many lots require permits or are paid for public use. Worth noting: Used by clubs, the university, and booked for pick-up games, so it can get busy during peak times. However, given the size of the facility there's typically always space. Best for: One of the best facilities on this list for shooting practice — the combination of quality synthetic, netted goals, and backstop nets is hard to beat.
Dendy Park (Brighton East)
Huge park with several soccer fields and full-size in-ground goals. Grass can be patchy but it's not too bad. Used by Brighton SC and Hampton East Brighton FC but you'll find space given the size of the park. Goals are not netted when not in use. A good option if you just need space. There's a single field right when you drive in off Dendy Street (this is the one in the image) — with a running track around it — which is probably the pick of the lot.
Just across Nepean Highway there's also Victory Park, home of Bentleigh United Cobras, which has two full-size soccer fields and in-ground goals during season. Worth checking out as a fallback, though I've never had trouble finding a spot at Dendy Park itself.
Surface: Grass is variable — decent but can be patchy. Goals: Full-size in-ground goals on several fields. Not netted when not in use. Parking: Car park at the Dendy Street entrance. Best for: General training, ball mastery. Good if you just need open space with goals.
A Note on Choosing the Right Ground
The best ground for you depends on what you need from the session. If you're focused on ball mastery (see my post on ball mastery), dribbling (see my post on 1v1 dribbling), passing, or close control, you just need a flat surface and a few cones — almost any of these grounds will do, and surface quality matters more than goal availability. If you want to do shooting and finishing work, prioritise grounds with netted goals, and ideally large nets or fences behind them to stop stray shots.
And if you're looking for a private coaching session at any of these locations, get in touch — I train at many of these grounds regularly and can meet you at whichever is most convenient. Visit cdprivatesoccercoaching.com.au to book a free trial session.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I just turn up and use these grounds? Yes. All of these grounds are publicly accessible outside of club training and game times. You don't need to book for casual use on grass fields. Synthetic pitches can sometimes be booked by clubs or groups, so if you turn up during peak times there's a chance the synthetic may be occupied — but most of these locations have grass fields nearby as alternatives.
Which grounds have the best goals with nets? JL Murphy Reserve, Clifton Park, Darebin SC / Mayer Park, Monash University Clayton, Springers Leisure Centre, Campbell Reserve / Moreland City FC, and Albert Park (synthetic pitches) all have consistently available netted goals.
Which ground is best for shooting practice? JL Murphy Reserve and Monash Clayton are the standouts — think quantity of goals with nets and fences behind the goals to stop balls. Darebin SC is also good with four consistently netted full-size goals. Clifton Park, Albert Park's synthetic pitches and Springers Leisure Centre are strong options too.
Do I need to book to use synthetic pitches? Generally no for casual use, but they can be booked by clubs or groups during peak times. If the synthetic is occupied, most of these locations have grass fields nearby you can use instead.