Women's football and community sport across Port Adelaide will be the major winners with the Morrison Government throwing its support behind the transformation of Alberton Oval into a world-class recreation and sport precinct.
This $15 million funding contribution from the Morrison Government will go towards new facilities for use by the Port Adelaide Football Club, community sporting organisations, local SANFL affiliated women's teams and transform the ground into an elite match day venue, ready for the club's entry into the AFLW in 2022-23 season.
"As the Club song says, 'it's more than a sport', and that's what this redevelopment is all about," the Prime Minister said.
"The new precinct will ensure Alberton Oval continues to be the heart of the community and an inspiration for generations to come.
"Our $15 million investment will support Port Adelaide's plans to redevelop Alberton Oval into a multi-use high performance and community sport precinct.
"Importantly, our investment will ensure Alberton Oval will be match fit when Port Adelaide's AFLW team debuts in 2022, with broadcast quality lighting to shine a deserved spotlight on women's sport."
South Australian Senator and Finance Minister Simon Birmingham said this investment would kick goals for the local community, particularly women's football from the grassroots to the elite level.
"As a South Australian and avid footy fan, I am incredibly proud that from next year our state will have two AFLW teams in the national competition," Minister Birmingham said.
"We are making sure that Port Adelaide has the best possible facilities to take the competition by storm and inspire more girls and women across SA to have a crack at footy.
"This is going to be a cutting-edge sporting hub for the Port Adelaide community to use and enjoy for decades to come as well as help to further boost participation in sport and football across all age levels and abilities."
Minister for Sport Richard Colbeck said the investment at Alberton Oval would benefit the entire community.
"We understand more than ever the benefits of being able to participate in sport," Minister Colbeck said.
"Improved community sport facilities offer greater opportunity to improve our physical wellbeing and strengthen social connections.
"This has never been more important as we navigate our way through the impact of the pandemic on grassroots sport."
Funding to upgrade the Alberton Oval precinct will help support:
- the creation of a family-friendly AFLW match day venue
- a new high performance centre, including:
- a large indoor training facility incorporating two basketball courts for community use
- an outdoor soccer pitch and training field to support Port Adelaide's AFL and AFLW programs as well as community sport
- AFL and AFLW standard changerooms and other amenities including expansion of the high performance gymnasium and administration offices
- upgraded medical and rehabilitation facilities.
