State Government Grassroots Facilities Program.

The South Adelaide Football Club welcomes today’s announcement of funding by the State Government through the Grassroots Facilities Program to upgrade facilities to the Cardijn College football oval.

The State Government Grant of $187, 700 will be matched through a partnership involving Cardijn College, South Adelaide Football Club, SANFL and the AFL to enable the removal of the cricket pitch, installation of a new scoreboard and provide four LED lighting poles to enable night-time training.

South Adelaide Football Club CEO Neill Sharpe said it was an exciting announcement for football in the southern region.

“Cardijn College have been a fantastic neighbor and partner of South Adelaide for a long period of time. We are extremely grateful for their support with this project."

“To strengthen this partnership and provide the Club with access to a secondary football-only oval in close proximity with lighting over the winter months is a significant benefit."

“This will allow us to properly cater for the growth in the game, especially in female sport.”

In 2022, the SANFL will introduce a Women’s Development League and expand its boy’s U16 competition to a full season. The SANFL has future plans to also expand underage male and female football programs in the coming years.

Mr Sharpe said it was an important step as part of a much larger plan to upgrade the whole sporting precinct.

“We’ve had positive discussions with all levels of Government regarding the need to redevelop the facilities at Flinders University Stadium. Having started at Noarlunga in 1995 the facilities are now very dated and not in keeping with the current requirements for female sport."

“The redevelopment of Flinders University Stadium will support the creation of a regional hub in Adelaide’s South that drives improved community connections."

It will raise facility standards to become the premier sporting hub in the region combining football, netball and community use. Something that we can all be genuinely be proud of and provide young footballers and netballers with the best opportunity to fulfil their dreams.”