The possibility of night football at Glencoe has drawn closer following the announcement of a $26,000 grant for a lighting upgrade.
The funds are coming from the SANFL, AFL and State Government with news revealed to club delegates and officials on Sunday at an Adelaide Oval function to coincide with the annual AFL Gather Round.
The Mount Burr United Football Club was allocated $8500 to meet half the cost of installing eight new behind and goal posts
Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara clubs Bordertown and Padthaway were the only other clubs in the region to receive grants,
Glencoe Football Club president Adam Price said the Murphies estimated it would take around $100,000 to upgrade the lights to meet night football standards.
Price said two of the existing light towers were satisfactory but the other two needed to be replaced.
He said his club was grateful to club life member Craig Childs for working on the grant submissions to the various funding authorities.
“We already have a $50,000 grant from the State Government’s Office of Recreation and Sport for the lights project,” Price said.
“Wattle Range Council provided us with a $30,000 grant to upgrade the toilets in the licensed clubrooms.
“They were in the original condition dating back to the erection of the clubrooms in 1973.
“In all, the toilets upgrade cost between $40,000 and $50,000 with some in-kind donations.”
Glencoe was represented at the function by Childs and his wife Anne who is the club secretary.
Meanwhile, Mount Burr president Clint Bowering said his club was grateful for the funding support for the home base of the Mozzies at Mick and Jean Walker Oval.
He was accompanied to the function by his son and Mount Burr footballer Kody Bowering.
The representatives of the two Mid SE clubs then accepted the hospitality of the AFL and SANFL and watched the AFL game between Port Adelaide Power and Hawthorn.
Around 40 footy projects across the state will share in $3m of funding through the second round of the South Australian Football Facilities Fund.
This year’s grants will assist 37 projects, including 20 in regional SA and 17 in metropolitan Adelaide and surrounds, taking total investment under the new funding program to nearly $5m since its launch in 2024.
The $8m fund is a collaboration between the State Government, AFL and SANFL to continue growing the game and build the legacy of AFL Gather Round for the South Australian football community.
“We are determined to use the success of Gather Round to benefit community sporting clubs and get more young people active,” Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing Emily Bourke said.
“Upgraded infrastructure and modern facilities help build a platform for the next generation to chase their footy dreams, on ovals in all parts of the state.
“This investment also creates a better environment for staff, volunteers and spectators who are the heartbeat of our communities.”
