Modbury Jets and Modbury Vista to share new $1 million artificial pitch
RIVALRIES will be put aside as the northeast’s leading soccer clubs share a new $1 million artificial pitch at Ridgehaven next season.
RIVALRIES will be put aside as the northeast’s leading soccer clubs share a new $1 million artificial pitch at Ridgehaven next season.
Newly-promoted Modbury Vista has agreed to play its debut campaign in Football Federation SA senior competitions at Modbury Jets’ redeveloped home ground.
The announcement comes as work begins on a new synthetic playing surface at Jet Park which will boost pitch usage by more than 80 hours per week.
Vista chairman Rick Shrowder said the club’s entry into State League Two – one division below the Jets – would provide greater pathways for local players.
He said partnering with their neighbour would help soccer’s growth in the region.
“It’s creating a real buzz around our club,” Shrowder said.
“We won’t be on-field rivals just yet, but off the field having a healthy working relationship is key.
“For the betterment of soccer in the area, both clubs want to work together and there’s no better way to do that than to utilise the exciting new opportunities at their ground.”
The Jets received $500,000 State Government funding in June after FFSA secured $10 million for ground improvements across the state.
Tea Tree Gully Council contributed the remaining $500,000 to install the all-weather pitch which can be used for training and matches daily.
Jets chairman Jeff McCormack said the upgrade would benefit the wider community.
“It allows us to move from 10 hours of playing time a week to 90 hours,” McCormack said.
“It’s all about developing the game, so if Vista can come along for the ride then why not.
“But we’re not just restricted to soccer.
“We really want to open it up to other sports and the public.”
Vista’s senior amateur teams will remain at Richardson Reserve in 2017, while its women’s sides will play some matches at Jet Park.
The club will become one of SA’s biggest fielding 50 teams and more than 700 male, female and junior players.
“It’s breaking new ground for us and venturing into an area that we’ve never gone before,” Shrowder said.
“While we want to encourage our (State League Two) players to fight for on-field success our priority is to get the culture right for a young squad.
“It’s the first step on a journey for us and it’s not about gaining promotion in the first year or winning trophies.”
Work at Jet Park, which will include a new perimeter fence, is due for completion in late February.
McCormack said the artificial surface would aid the second-tier Jets’ bid for promotion to the Premier League.
“Our current pitch really suits the old English style where you just send the ball long and get someone to run on to it,” he said.
“But we don’t play that way any more, so this new pitch will suit our needs better.
“It’s also good for the younger players coming through who will get to play on a world class pitch.”