Eastern suburbs footballers upset by Heffron Park vandals

Footballers have been angered by significant damage to one of the premier venues in Sydney’s southeastern suburbs.

A man inspects the damage to Heffron Park. Picture: Peter Hennessy

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Vandals appear to have burnt a wheelie bin on the synthetic field of Heffron Park at Maroubra on Friday night, which prompted Saturday matches to be moved.

A spokeswoman for Randwick Council said half-field games could be played on the pitch but full-field games could not until it was repaired.

Heffron Park vandalism. Picture: Peter Hennessy

The pitch provider has assessed the damage and will provide a quote for repair.

The date for repair was still to be determined, according to the spokeswoman.

Dunbar Rovers FC calls the pitch home and had to move games at short notice to Hensley Athletic Field.

A club director, Peter Hennessy, said the damage affected boys and girls teams as well as schools and the wider community.

This was the second time this sort of vandalism had occurred on the pitch, he said, and preventive action was needed.

He urged anyone who knew the offenders to contact police.

A spokeswoman for the council said it would continue working with sporting clubs and police to identify deterrents, particularly during school holidays.