Former Adelaide United chairman Greg Griffin is new SA Women’s World Cup bid steering committee member
Former Adelaide United chairman Greg Griffin says a new SA soccer stadium, to be built in time for the 2023 Women’s World Cup should be part-funded by private investors and owned by clubs.
The State Government must give private investors a chance to partly fund a new soccer stadium, says Greg Griffin, the newest committee member of Australia’s bid for the 2023 FIFA women’s World Cup.
And the ex-Adelaide United chairman says the stadium should be owned by the clubs.
Griffin joins two other South Australians — former Football Federation Australia board member Moya Dodd and ex-MP Natasha Stott Despoja — on the women’s World Cup committee.
Griffin was nominated by the Australian Professional Football Clubs Association late last week.
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“The State Government and council should be involved in the process. The council should give us the land, the State Government should contribute on a pro-rata basis with the Federal Government and rest of the finances. Put the financial test to us,” Griffin said.
“This is a structure, a capital investment, which the people in this state are asking for.
“The reason why the US Major League Soccer competition has gone from strength to strength is because the clubs have taken management rights of the stadiums.
“For a new stadium, public transport is incredibly important and reliable carparking, and that really limits where you should build it.
“And it’s got to be taken out of the control of the Entertainment Centre (Hindmarsh Stadium is operated by Adelaide Venue Management Corporation). It needs to be in the hands of clubs. They need to control their own destinies.
“Basically we have to make sure clubs take full benefit of what will be a game-changing World Cup event.
“I also know a refurbishment option for Hindmarsh Stadium is not an option, they’re just wasting everyone’s time and money to beat that old horse. There has to be a new stadium no ifs, no buts.”
Griffin was confident the State Government would reconsider being part of the bid process after Premier Steven Marshall said on Thursday there was new hope for a resolution with FFA.
Marshall’s comments came more than 48 hours after Trade, Tourism and Investment Minister David Ridgway told The Advertiser the State Government would not be part of the bidding process.
“The FFA World Cup submission won’t be due for another six weeks or so which gives more than sufficient time for the State Government to reconsider entering the bidding process,’’ Griffin said.
Griffin also suggested that English championship club Brentford’s under construction $160 million Community Stadium is the near perfect example of what the State and Federal Government’s should consider building.
The stadium which has an option of having a 25,000 capacity will be reportedly ready in time to play host to the UEFA Women’s Euro 2021 finals.
“Brentford is a great club and owned by the same people that bought Awer Mabil from Adelaide United to Danish club FC Midtjylland” Griffin said.
“A new stadium is exactly what Adelaide needs.”