Northern Suburbs Football Association: Turramurra playing, training hub and grandstand plan

A new multimillion-dollar “home of football” has been proposed for north shore, featuring synthetic pitches and improved facilities to cater to rising player numbers. See what’s planned:

New plans have been released for a multimillion dollar “home of football” on the upper north shore to meet rising participation numbers and inadequate existing facilities which has some players getting changed in their cars or the great outdoors.

Sporting fields at the North Turramurra Recreation Area would be transformed into a new training and playing hub complete with a 300-seat grandstand under development plans released by the Northern Suburbs Football Association (NSFA) this month.

The project, if approved, would have three playing fields with synthetic and improved turf which would allow the 18,152-member association to use facilities in all-weather events.

A concept plan of the stadium.

Other features of the $4.9 million plan include new lighting, a cafe, community space, physio room, a press and corporate box, offices, 17 toilets, and one which could be used by referees and coaches of all genders.

A club spokesman said the facility would cement the position of football as a major sporting code in the region.

“The NSFA has increased its membership by 1300 players in 2021 with growing trends in female participation and the region cannot continue to support this type of growth without investment in new and upgraded facilities,” he said.

“Our project aims to provide urgent change rooms and amenities to support female participation and all-abilities participation at our home sporting complex.

“The development will also allow NSFA to increase its ability to use sporting fields for general competition as well as events to attract players, develop players, and celebrate our local members through finals weekends and gala days.”

The current shortage in amenities has resulted in the venue unable to be used to its full capacity over the last four seasons while the shortage of change rooms has resulted in some members getting changed in the open or in their cars.

Plans have been lodged to Ku-ring-gai Council.

The association, which takes in clubs including Turramurra United, Chatswood Rangers, West Pymble and North Sydney United, said demand for the new facilities was also partly driven by population growth in the region and the rise in female players, increasing by 459 over the last two years.

The club said the upgraded facility would cater for all-ability athletes including growth of the Pararoos Development Centre and Football 4 All programs, as well as hosting of Football4All gala days.

The new community spaces would be used by the NSFA, community volunteers and would also be available for community hire.

The project includes a 300-seat grandstand.

“The proposed development will allow greater opportunities to be offered to local residents and members, without the need to travel long distances,” the club spokesman said.

“The current representation program, Northern Tigers FC, is currently well represented in the state’s top tier in the women's programs and second tier in the mens’ programs.

“Without future planning and investment, opportunities such as these may not be possible and could potentially see Northern Tigers games moved to an alternative compliant venue.”

An overview of the plan.

Football is not the only sport in the region currently experiencing rising pressures in securing available playing space due to rising participation numbers.

In hockey, the demand has prompted plans to rebuild playing facilities at Ku-ring-gai High School for the Northern Sydney and Beaches Hockey Association as part of an agreement between the Department of Education and Ku-ring-gai Council

A shortage of basketball and netball facilities was also aired at this week’s Ku-ring-gai Council meeting with councillor Sam Ngai calling for the number of council’s basketball hoops to more than double, from five to 12, to support demand.

Councillors instead voted on a revised plan for staff to continue consulting with existing users and allocate facilities in an equitable approach.

Fast growing netball clubs are also feeling the squeeze including North Turramurra Netball Club which currently trains on the North Turramurra Recreation Area carpark on weekdays.

The Northern Suburbs Football Association said netball players would still be able to use the car park for training during and post development and would also have access to the new amenities.

The club’s plans are currently under assessment by Ku-ring-gai Council.