The State Government has helped deliver $59.3 million in vital infrastructure upgrades to sporting clubs across South Australia through its hugely popular Grassroots Football, Cricket and Netball Facility Program.
Forty-seven projects have received funding since 2018 for vital works such as building family-friendly change rooms, upgrading oval lighting and playing surfaces and constructing new clubrooms – also supporting 240 construction jobs.
Round 3, which was bought forward as part of the Government's stimulus package to help sporting clubs bounce back from the impacts of COVID-19, will see 15 clubs across the state share in $5 million of government funding – matched by council.
Fifty-five eligible applications were received in Round 3 with each assessed for strategic justification by the South Australian National Football League (SANFL), South Australian Cricket Association (SACA) and Netball SA.
The codes then put their recommendations to an independent committee which assessed the projects and made final recommendations to the Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing Corey Wingard.
"We'd love to give money to everyone but unfortunately that's not possible," Minister Wingard said.
"I'd like to thank SANFL, SACA and Netball SA for the effort they put into helping clubs pull together their proposals.
"The program's co-contribution model means the Government's $5 million investment will lead to the delivery of projects worth more than $16 million.
"By working with councils and the sporting codes, through Rounds 1, 2 and 3 we've been able to turn $15 million of taxpayers money into nearly $60 million worth of projects – an amazing achievement that benefits thousands of South Aussies.
"The program also gives SA's construction industry a major boost by supporting more than 240 jobs."
SANFL CEO Jake Parkinson said collaboration between the codes is key.
"SANFL's audit of facilities in South Australia highlighted that Football shares 87% of its facilities with Cricket clubs and 57% with Netball so it makes sense that these sports would work together on improving facilities to increase participation and inclusion," Mr Parkinson said.
"The Grassroots Program, which included $1 million each from Football and Cricket, has seen 48 projects worth a combined $59.9 million approved in its two years of operation across South Australia.
"Additionally, a further 15 other sports have benefited directly from this facility funding investment, including soccer, tennis, basketball, hockey and baseball."
SACA CEO Keith Bradshaw said his organisation is proud to invest in our grassroots community with State and local governments.
"These outstanding multi-purpose, flexible facilities will give the South Australian cricket community the boost they need this summer," Mr Bradshaw said.
Netball SA CEO Bronwyn Klei is rapt with the outcomes of Round 3 and said of the 15 projects funded, 8 projects will benefit netball clubs or associations across the State.
"Of particular interest is the funding for the City of Tea Tree Gully and SA Districts Netball Association (SADNA) for the resurfacing of their 20 courts. The continued investment from all levels of government in this facility creates great benefit for more than 400,000 people who attend the venue every year," Ms Klei said.
"Round 3 has again demonstrated the value of collaboration between the State Government, Netball SA, SANFL and SACA who have worked together to support communities in submitting quality applications and ensuring these projects meet facility guidelines and sport specific strategies.
"We can't wait to see shovels in ground on these exciting projects!"
Clubs and councils who apply are required to contribute at least 50% of the project costs and are strongly encouraged to work with the ORSR, SANFL, SACA and/or Netball SA to produce an application which meets the approved guidelines, assessment criteria and objectives of the program.
Grassroots Football, Cricket, and Netball Facility Program – Round 3 successful applicants:
- City of Holdfast Bay - To construct two new unisex change rooms, including umpire amenities, first aid, meeting space, and storage, at the Glenelg Oval, Glenelg East.
- City of Mitcham - To redevelop and upgrade existing change rooms to unisex, including umpire and medical rooms, a match day office, increased storage, spectator viewing area, and an inclusive access lift at Kingswood Oval, Kingswood.
- City of Playford - To construct a new shared multi-use sporting oval, including flood lighting at the Angle Vale Sports Complex, Angle Vale.
- City of Tea Tree Gully - To upgrade and resurface 20 courts at the South Australian District Netball Association, Golden Grove.
- Coromandel Valley Ramblers Cricket Club Incorporated - To construct a new modular multi-purpose sport complex with two unisex change rooms, umpires' room, equipment store room, and all-access toilet facilities at Hawthorndene Oval, Hawthorndene.
- District Council of Loxton Waikerie - To install new sports flood lighting to a minimum of 200 lux at Loxton Oval, Loxton.
- Encounter Bay Football Club Incorporated - To construct new unisex change room facilities, and to upgrade existing amenities including umpire and medical change rooms at the Encounter Bay Football Club, Victor Harbor.
- Houghton Inglewood & Hermitage Soldiers' Memorial Park Incorporated - To construct new multi-use unisex change rooms, and to install four new light towers delivering 300/200 lux, at the Houghton Inglewood and Hermitage Soldiers Memorial Park, Houghton.
- The Barossa Council - To install new LED oval lighting to a minimum 100 lux, install four new cricket nets, and to re-mediate the oval gradient and playing surface at the Lyndoch Recreation Park, Lyndoch.
- The Barossa Council - To upgrade six courts, and install sports flood lighting, at Old Talunga Park, Mount Pleasant.
- The Corporation of the City of Campbelltown - To construct new modular unisex change rooms at Foxfield Oval, Athelstone.
- The Crystal Brook Football Club Incorporated - To construct a new unisex change room facility including umpire and medical rooms, canteen facilities, and flood lighting for the netball courts at the Crystal Brook Oval Precinct, Crystal Brook.
- The Kadina Football Club Incorporated - To install new sports flood lighting to 150 lux at the Kadina Town Oval, Kadina.
- The Streaky Bay and District Community Complex Incorporated - To improve playing surface by installing water storage and reticulation system at the Streaky Bay and Districts Community Complex, Streaky Bay.
- Tintinara Oval and Rec Association Incorporated - To redevelop and upgrade existing change rooms, incorporating umpires change rooms and a new storage area, plus two resurfaced netball/tennis courts and netball shelter shed at Tintinara Oval and Recreation Association, Tintinara.
