What is SANFL proposing for Football Park?
SANFL is planning to establish a talent and community facility at ‘Footy Park’ to provide opportunities for young male and female footballers in SA to chase their dreams of playing the sport at a higher level.
It has therefore applied to the City of Charles Sturt for a non-exclusive licence to access Footy Park oval under a shared community arrangement.
Will SANFL be relocating to ‘Footy Park’?
No, SANFL’s headquarters will remain at the home of football in South Australia, Adelaide Oval.
If SANFL is granted the licence to use the oval, SANFL will purchase land on the western side of the oval, adjacent to the Mosaic Hotel, and build a state-of-the-art Talent facility where the SANFL Talent department will be based. This will also be made available for local community use.
When will SANFL have use of the oval?
The oval will be used for football at limited times – 5.00pm-8.30pm weekdays and five hours over the weekend.
SANFL will use the oval for an average of 15 hours per week during the months of February to June.
At other times of the year, that will reduce to just between 6 and 12 hours per week, with no weekend use.
When will the oval be available for community use?
The community will have use of the oval every day outside of 5pm – 8.30pm weekdays and five hours on a weekend – and even more outside of the months of February to June. This equates to 84% of daylight hours that the community will be able to use the oval.
How does SANFL’s usage of the oval compare to the current use by the Adelaide Football Club?
SANFL will use the oval less than half that of Adelaide Football Club’s peak usage, which currently includes mornings, afternoons, evenings and Saturdays.
What will the oval be used for?
The primary use of the oval will be for SANFL’s State Talent Programs:
- U16 State Girls and Boys Teams
- U18 State Girls and Boys Teams
- Multicultural and First Nations Academies
It will be used for training and trial matches.
No SANFL leagues games will be played at the oval.
Will lighting be installed at the oval?
Yes oval lighting will be installed, but it will be to community level and turned off by 8:30pm.
The Adelaide Football Club currently has temporary oval light towers at Footy Park but would install permanent lighting as soon as possible. This is essential for after-hours training for their AFLW and SANFL teams.
Will the current temporary fencing be removed?
Yes, the temporary fencing will be removed to provide more welcoming access for the community outside of SANFL’s hours of use.
Will there be extra car parking provisions at the oval?
Yes, the current car park on the western side of the oval will be increased by 78 spaces, with entry from Turner Drive and a Park and Drop Zone created within the car park.
Who will maintain the oval if SANFL is granted a licence to use the oval?
SANFL will be responsible for maintaining the oval to a high standard, and at its own cost. The proposal ensures provision of an improved public space with access for local residents.
What will happen if SANFL is not granted a licence to use Footy Park oval from the City of Charles Sturt?
If SANFL doesn’t secure a licence to use the oval, the Adelaide Football Club will remain at Football Park. The Adelaide Football Club has a legal right to use Football Park until 2048.