Where SA’s new footy ovals are needed to meet player demand: SANFL shares its 10-year plan

An explosion of girls’ footy is adding pressure to already stretched sports grounds. Here’s where participation is growing fastest - and where ovals should be prioritised.

Angus Morton, 11, Darcy Thur, 6, Astin Rouvray, 11, Georgie Thur, 9, Miaya Foot, 10, and Lily Reid, 9, at the Plympton Football Club. Picture MATT TURNER.

More than 20 new football ovals will be needed across Adelaide within a decade to cater for a growing number of community footballers, data analysis reveals.

The forecast, detailed by the SANFL in its long-term facilities plan, is largely driven by an “unprecedented” growth in female participation.

The league’s 10-year plan identifies priorities for improving and developing football facilities, including player, umpire and spectator amenities, lighting and oval surfaces in 12 SANFL planning regions.

In more than half of these, player-to-field ratios already exceed the national benchmark of 175, revealing a “severe shortage of oval space for football participants”.

In the southern region, which takes in Holdfast Bay, Mitcham, Unley, Marion and Onkaparinga councils – there are 449 registered players for every available oval, significantly higher than the recommended rate.

Meanwhile, the biggest predicted player growth is in northern Adelaide with 1500 more players expected in that region by 2031.

It has been identified as the area that needs the most new ovals, at least eight.

The report also finds 80 per cent of oval changeroom facilities are currently of an “inadequate standard” for female players and umpires.

SANFL infrastructure manager Belinda Marsh said the sweeping study provided a significant starting point.

“Having the ability to look forward is really important,” she said.

“We know with the growth of female footy we need to be able to illustrate where we are at and what we need to achieve over the next 10 years to meet demand and growth.

“There are some ovals I have been to where there are seven teams trying to train. Not only are the players not getting the practice they need, but the oval is getting absolutely churned up.”

Mrs Marsh said options for more green space beyond building new ovals that need to be considered are school grounds – after hours – and upgrading facilities with lights to expand use. She said upgrading facilities for female players do not have to be “Taj Mahal” redevelopments.

“(But) at some locations there are entire teams that line up to use one cubicle … I’ve had coaches tell me they have players who spend so much time lining up, they miss their pre-match talk,” she said.

SANFL chief executive Darren Chandler said the report highlighted the continuing need for hefty investment to support the growth and diversity of football in SA. He said that included initiatives proposed by the SA Jockey Club to create two football ovals and unisex changerooms in the middle of the Morphettville Racecourse.

“But this report confirms there is still much to be done in the provision of appropriate facilities … and identifying opportunities for new ovals to support increasing female teams,” he said.

At Plympton in Adelaide’s inner southwest, junior and senior footballers share one oval with junior and senior soccer players – and local cricketers during the crossover of seasons.

“Our oval is busy six days a week … at a minimum we are at least one footy oval short – in a year, across the three codes, we access eight different locations to allow games to be played,” Plympton Football Club president Jamie Morgan said, adding girls now make up 25 per cent of his club’s player base.