Magazine - Thornbury Oval Push

By Editor in A.F.L on 9th Oct 2008 6:00

Northcote MP Fiona Richardson last Friday to kick off a campaign to revamp the Sir Douglas Nicholls Oval in Thornbury.

Fiona and former Essendon champ and Fitzroy Stars Football Club patron Michael Long was in Melbourne to see his nephew, Hawthorns’ Cyril Rioli, help beat Geelong at the MCG last Saturday. Long said the run-down footy ground was the spiritual home of the Stars.

“They are the only indigenous local team in Victoria,” Long said. “And they need up-to-scratch toilets and facilities, not second-rate grounds.”

With proven form for unlocking state and federal coffers to fund Northcote projects, Ms Richardson last week announced a $200,000 grant for a community health program for Aboriginal men, run by the Fitzroy Stars. Now she has her eye cast on securing state and federal funding for the million-dollar overhaul of the oval.

“I’m hoping everyone will get on board this project,” Ms Richardson said. The AFL has earmarked the site for a pilot program to build the first synthetic-turf football ground in Australia.

“We’re pretty keen to get a ground up and running for the next season,” AFL community development manager Ken Gannon said. “There’s plenty of artificial surfaces around, but they don’t meet standards for community football and cricket.”

Source & More: leader-news.whereilive.com.au

Read more articles in A.F.L, by Editor or from October 2008.