Facilities boost for SANFL clubs

SANFL has welcomed the State Government’s continuing investment in facility upgrades for SANFL Clubs, with Woodville-West Torrens, North Adelaide, South Adelaide and Sturt the latest clubs set to benefit from grants through the PLAN.BUILD.PLAY Sports Infrastructure Funding Program.

The four clubs – in partnerships with local councils and schools – this month secured more than $1.7 million in funding for the next wave of exciting developments at SANFL venues.

The continued growth of female football participation, coupled with the expansion of elite SANFL Club talent programs and competitions, has sparked a growing need for investment in new and improved facilities. The latest funding follows on from State Government investment in other recent project completions at Glenelg, Central District, Norwood, Sturt and Woodville West Torrens football clubs.

More than $800,000 in total will be spent on the latest project at Maughan Thiem Kia Oval at Woodville, as the Eagles partner with the State Government, Woodville District Cricket Club and Charles Sturt Council to upgrade the changeroom facilities in the Barry Jarman Grandstand.

The State Government funding contribution to the Woodville-West Torrens project will ensure the project meets the standard required to be an appropriate facility for female players and accessible for players and officials with a disability. It also comes on the back of the completion of a major $800,000 lighting upgrade at Woodville which also received State Government investment.

Meanwhile, a $1.5 million redevelopment project will take place at Prospect Oval as North Adelaide establishes new dedicated female changeroom facilities, together with an entry and exit for women’s teams between the changeroom and playing surface.

The Roosters will also be making extensive improvements to their entertainment spaces, relocating the kitchen and function room upstairs, accompanied by a balcony viewing area, whilst relocating the gym downstairs to overlook the adjacent Memorial Gardens.

South Adelaide’s partnership with neighbouring Cardijn College continues to strengthen with a $440,000 project at the College’s oval now granted funding approval.

The funding partnership between the State Government, South Adelaide, Cardijn College, SANFL and the AFL, will support installation of lighting at Cardijn College Oval to meet the increased demand of female and junior programs now being facilitated by the Panthers, encouraging greater participation in sport throughout the southern suburbs.

The City of Unley welcomed a $635,000 contribution to oval surface improvements at Unley Oval.

This project follows a suite of developments undertaken at the oval, including upgraded football facilities and female friendly changerooms and the recently commenced development of a $4.5m community hub and multi-use function facility above the Jack Oatey Grandstand funded by the City of Unley, the Sturt Football Club and the Federal Government.

SANFL Infrastructure Manager Belinda Marsh said continued State Government facilities funding was crucial to support increased levels of participation being driven by SANFL and its eight League Clubs, not only in the metropolitan area but across the state.

“It’s crucial that our SANFL League clubs and the most talented male and female players have the opportunity to pursue their dreams at quality facilities. This is more important now than ever, with the incredible growth in junior football and female participation and the need to provide the opportunities for the 8,000-plus women and girls registered to play footy right across SA,” Ms Marsh said.

“SANFL is committed to working with clubs, governments and councils to appropriately plan and deliver upgrades which ensure that our State can continue to realise the significant social and economic benefits football delivers.”

In addition to funding for SANFL Clubs, 15 community clubs across metropolitan and regional SA also were supported, with over $8.4 million in funding for facility upgrades, including new club and facility developments at Adelaide Community Sport and Recreation Association (Park 21), Tanunda Recreation Park and the Modbury Football Club.

A joint project at Cummins Oval on the Eyre Peninsula between the Cummins Ramblers FC and the Cummins Kapinnie FC has been granted $1.18million to develop a new space for the community featuring 400 seat function area, kitchen and amenities.

A full list of successful grant applicants can be viewed on the ORSR website here