$21 million boost to grow footy in South Australia

South Australian football across all levels is set for a boost with the Morrison Government today announcing funding of $21 million to support two major sporting and recreational facilities across Adelaide.

This major funding boost announced in Adelaide includes $15 million to support the development of the new home of the Adelaide Crows Football Club creating a vibrant inner-city sports and community precinct, and $6 million towards the redevelopment of Thebarton Oval into a start-of-the-art multi-purpose sporting facility.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said these investments in sporting infrastructure were a major win for the state and would provide widespread benefits across the community.

"Today's announcement is about investing in infrastructure that supports community participation in sport and football across all age levels and abilities," the Treasurer said.

"When you have a stronger economy and have responsible economic management you are able to make these types of investments that give back to the community and have longstanding benefits."

Senator for South Australia Simon Birmingham said this was a major investment in South Australian men and women's football and sport from the grassroots right through to the elite level.

"These investments will support better local sporting and recreational facilities, including the potential redevelopment of the Adelaide Aquatic Centre, as well as training facilities for women's footy and a new indigenous academy.

"This vital funding will not only help to deliver two world-class facilities but will also allow for the delivery of numerous youth development, talent identification and wellbeing programs.

"Women's footy has inspired new generations of girls with a message of both fitness and equality. We're really excited by the opportunity to supercharge the interest in women's sport with investment from local clubs right through to elite skills development.

"The redevelopment of the Therbarton oval will provide cutting-edge sporting facilities for local residents and a new home for the SANFL talent programs to help with the development of football across the state.

"The new inner-city precinct will provide a new sporting and recreation hub in the inner-city, benefiting people right across metropolitan Adelaide."

Minister for Sport Bridget McKenzie said "I believe you can't be what you can't see. This commitment is an investment in the future of this community - connecting grassroots to elite athletes like we see at the AFLW grand final this weekend."

"This is a further example of our Government backing community sport and builds on our commitment to invest $190 million into women's change rooms and local swimming pools right across the country," Minister McKenzie said.

Funding for the new inner-city sports and community precinct will help support:

  • New Administration and training facilities for the Adelaide Crows Football Club.
  • A fit for purpose high performance facility for the Adelaide Crows AFLW team and the home of a new talent academy to help identify, develop and train up and coming female athletes.
  • The establishment and operation of the Eddie Betts Foundation to promote education and cultivate youth leadership within indigenous communities.

Funding for the Thebarton Oval Redevelopment will contribute towards:

  • New administration facilities for SANFL talent pathways, Adelaide Footy League staff and other not for profit organisations.
  • A state of the art facility training and high-performance facility for SANFL talent programs including a gymnasium, recovery facilities and rehabilitation facilities.
  • Surface upgrades and a new covered roof area and grandstand.
  • Lighting and carpark upgrades.

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