Jack Hudson
CENTRAL District Football Club will enjoy the benefit of new unisex changerooms at Elizabeth Oval after Playford Council secured State Government funding for the project.
Council has received almost $1.3 million in funding for the upgrade of three new unisex changerooms, in addition to the installation of 17 lighting towers at Ridley Reserve West.
Central District SANFLW captain Shelby Smith said it would be significant for her and her teammates, who have rotated between the traditional away change rooms and home ones.
“It’s going to be awesome,” she said. “Not only for us, but I think for the community and the younger girls coming through.
“It’s something to look forward to; I think it’s going to be great. It feels a bit like chaotic sometimes, but the group that we have works well with it. It honestly hasn’t been too bad, but this will be awesome.
“I think as time goes on, like women’s football has happened so quickly, so it’s one of those things. It’s a hard thing, you can’t have everything overnight, but it’s moving in the right direction, which I think is good.”
Central District president David Cavenett said the club could now feel on a level playing field with other SANFL clubs with their facilities.
“It’s massive for the club, it’s massive the community really to have these sorts of facilities to enable young girls coming through the ability to be able to come and play and have the right facilities to change and all the rest of it,” he said.
“Even the oval lighting across the road is a massive step forward for us.
“It’s been in the pipeline for a number of years, and it’s finally got here but to have the ability to have access to an oval close by with lights is just going to make it sensational. for everybody involved.
“We don’t need to have girls training at 8.30-9pm at night and then drive back to the Barossa, so it’s going to be sensational.
“That was the one area we were lagging behind in, is female facilities and to get to get that it’s just going to get us right up to speed.”
Playford Mayor Glenn Docherty said the upgrade had been a long time coming.
“Council is excited to secure state government funding to enhance the City of Playford Sports Precinct,” he said.
“Council has worked hard to leverage external funding to bring forward important community projects like the new unisex change rooms at Elizabeth Oval and floodlighting at Ridley Reserve West and Playford International College.
“Both projects have been identified in City of Playford’s draft Annual Business Plan 2021-22 and support council’s focus to connect our community through sports.
“New unisex change rooms at Elizabeth Oval will cater for existing and future AFL demand and, in particular, female and junior participation.
“Floodlighting at Playford International College will provide a much-needed second training venue for Central District Football Club, whose women’s and junior football programs have grown significantly.
“Lighting at Ridley Reserve will enable softball to host twilight games in summer and provide a second training venue for many winter sports in Playford.
“I, along with council, are committed to ensure facilities are appropriate, safe and allow community sporting clubs to accommodate to all members.”