$10 million Granted to Support Football Facilities in SA

The State Government has announced a $10million budget measure to build eight artificial pitches and upgrade football (soccer) clubs across Adelaide.

The investment will be delivered through the Football Federation of South Australia (FFSA), after the FFSA called for funding to meet growing interest in the sport, particularly from women.

The investment will help meet the growing interest in football and encourage more young players to enjoy the fitness and social benefits associated with participation in club sport.

There are more than 40,000 registered football players in South Australia and over 350 clubs across the state providing participation opportunities to players.

Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis said that the State Government wants to do everything it can to encourage South Australia's young people to be fit, active and social, and investing in facilities at sporting clubs is one of the best ways they can do this.

"Our football clubs need fcilities to meet this growing demand- and the State Government investment in artificial pitches - which can have three times as many games played on them as turf pitches - will help meet that demand."

Clubs and teams to gain increased access to artificial pitches include:

Adelaide City, Adelaide Olympic, Adelaide United Youth, West Torrens Birkalla, Boys and Girls National Training Centre Programs, Eight Women’s National Premier League sides (West Adelaide, Fulham United, Metro United WFC, Sturt Marion, Adelaide University, Para Hills Knights, Cumberland United, Adelaide City), Modury Jets, Seaford Rangers, South Adelaide, State Teams and West Adelaide.

White City will also receive $250,000 for change room facilities. The $10million in new funding is in addition to $150,000 recently provided to support the Adelaide United women’s team ‘The Lady Reds’.

Recreation and Sport Minister Leon Bignell told that with more than 40,000 registered football players in South Australia, today's announcement will be hugely popular with players, parents, volunteers and supporters.

"Not only will this investment help to ensure football participation continues to grow, it further cements the State Government's dedication to supporting sport at all levels, from grassroots through to elite."

FFSA Chief Executive Officer Michael Carter said that an investment in local club infrastructure is in line with the organisations Football Facilities Strategy and is a great outcome for football.

“Today’s funding announcement by the State Government illustrates a strong commitment to participation in sport and football.  The $10million investment will offer new and improved playing opportunities for thousands of players at the local club level and throughout the state.

“Football Federation SA is working closely with Local Government to unlock up to $5million in additional funding to further strengthen the value of our State Government’s investment.”