LifeChanger Foundation, run by ex-St Kilda coach Scott Watters, eyes base at Unley Oval

A former AFL coach has thrown his weight behind the proposed second stage of a $6.1 million redevelopment of Sturt Football Club’s home at Unley Oval.

An artist impression of the social facilities planned for the Jack Oatey Stand at Unley Oval.

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A former AFL coach has thrown his weight behind the proposed second stage of a $6.1 million redevelopment of Unley Oval.

Ex-St Kilda coach Scott Watters and his youth organisation LifeChanger have joined forces with Unley Council and Sturt Football Club on the project.

The second phase of the overhaul, costed at $3 million, is planned to include a community hub, spectator viewing area and bar above the Jack Oatey grandstand at the home of the Double Blues.

The council endorsed signing a letter of intent with LifeChanger to formalise the partnership on Monday night.

Under the plan, LifeChanger – a community-focused organisation that offers mentoring and support for young Australians – would set up its SA base at Unley Oval.

LifeChanger founders Scott Watters (far left) and Trevor Hendy (far right) with Robbie Kearns and Shae Brown ahead of a LifeChanger charity event last year. Picture: Mark Stewart

LifeChanger was founded in June by former ironman champion Trevor Hendy and Watters, who hoped it could benefit youth in the broader Unley community.

“We met with Unley Council and Sturt in January and what really came across was they are both community-focused operations,” said Watters, a veteran of 109 AFL games for West Coast, Sydney and Fremantle.

“In short, (LifeChanger) is about building positive self-identities in teenagers to help them face the challenges they encounter in today’s world.”

Stage one of the redevelopment, which includes upgrades to the Oatey and McKay grandstands, men’s and women’s changerooms and a new canteen, is due to be officially opened on March 10.

An artist impression of the new Oatey stand.

LifeChanger operates in Victoria and Queensland, and has plans to move into WA, NSW and SA.

Councillors at Monday night’s meeting supported the letter of intent but requested more information about LifeChanger’s finances and resources.

Unley chief executive Peter Tsokas said the success for stage two of the Unley Oval development relied heavily on “a community hub aspect”.

“Businesses like this are much better placed to attract funding than council,” Tsokas told the meeting.

“Council won’t be committing anything from a financial aspect at this stage as this is just the beginning of a complex process that requires a lot of hard work.”

Unley mayor Michael Hewitson said LifeChanger’s mission matched the council’s strategic objectives in youth development, healthy communities, and active ageing.

“To have such a reputable and important community-orientated operator running its

programs from Unley Oval ticks a lot of boxes in our eyes,” Hewitson said.

A detailed design for stage two, which is needed to approach potential funding partners, will now proceed.

The council is considering contributing about $1 million to the project.

Attempts will be made to raise the remainder of the funding from the public and private sectors, and from both the State and Federal Governments through grant applications.

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