Adelaide Comets Ellis Park National Premier League upgrade proposal rejected by Adelaide City Council

One of SA’s top soccer clubs will be unable to host top tier matches this season after a proposal for necessary home ground upgrades was rejected by council.

One of SA’s top soccer clubs will be unable to host National Premier League matches at its home pitch again this season after the Adelaide City Council rejected a proposal for necessary upgrades.

Council knocked back a request made by Adelaide Comets Football Club to upgrade its Ellis Park home with a 1.1m high fence with gates in order to comply with Football Australia venue requirements.

After a lengthy debate on Tuesday night it was decided by a five-to-four majority of councillors that the proposal for the fence should be rejected due to the possibility it could set a ‘precedent’ for the parklands and create an illusion that the public would be excluded.

The proposal was originally unanimously recommended by the City Community Services and Culture Committee, on February 6 after adhering to conditions laid out by the Adelaide Park Lands Authority.

The fence was the last piece of necessary upgrades the Comets had received $1.7 million in state government funding for, which also included new lights, clubrooms and a main pitch.

WNPL players Yuka Sasaki and Izabel Czechowicz with Adelaide Comets president Jim Tsouvalas at Ellis Park, where Adelaide City Council has knocked back a request for a 1.1m fence to be built. Picture: Matt Loxton

“I just don’t really understand the reasoning why this all happened after approval from the Adelaide Park Lands Authority and an earlier unanimous vote in favour of the fence,” Comets president Jim Tsouvalas said.

“The last piece of the puzzle to host senior NPL matches was to have a fence with gates just to allow for safety and for emergency vehicles but we’re at a loss now.

“It’s a slap in the face for all our hardworking staff and volunteers who help run a community club and to the parklands authority.”

Mr Tsouvalas also disagreed with the reasoning behind the rejection, citing other nearby sporting facilities, while councillor Mary Couros called the decision “heartless.”

“There are plenty of examples in the city where we’ve got high fences around pitches and on parklands, there are tennis courts which are fenced, and places like Karen Rolton Oval have fencing around them,” Mr Tsouvalas said.

Tom Koutsantonis, MP – an Adelaide Comets life member – said he hoped Council would reconsider. Picture: NCA NewsWIRE/Emma Brasier

“There would also be gates and accessibility so if we’re not there it’s open to the community.”

“This is a heartless decision by the majority faction. It would have benefited so many players and their families,” Ms Couros added.

“Under the control of the majority faction this council can’t even support community sport.”

Comets life member Tom Koutsantonis, Infrastructure and Transport Minister, said he hoped Council would reconsider its decision.

“I hope the council reconsiders and shows some commonsense,” he said.

“I’m bitterly disappointed for the club. It’s a great community club run by hardworking grassroots volunteers – this is not Manchester United, this is not Liverpool.

“This was just a requirement for the club to be able to host senior games, it’s not about locking the community out.”

Lord Mayor Dr Jane Lomax-Smith said Council would work toward a resolution.

“The matter as presented was not supported by the majority of council members.

“I believe the administration will work further with the proponent to find a resolution.”

Adelaide Comets FC has booked ServiceFM Stadium in Gepps Cross for its home matches in season 2024 if its fence is not ultimately accepted by Council.