Council’s newest AFL precinct awarded best-on-ground for 2020

Published 13 May 2021

Ken Gannon Award

Moreton Bay Region has been recognised as one of the country’s best builders of new AFL facilities after the $18.8 million Nathan Road Sports Ground at Kippa-Ring won the AFL’s Project of the Year for 2020.

Mayor Peter Flannery accepted the Ken Gannon Community Football Facilities Award from Mr Gannon himself, who flew up from Melbourne to attend the presentation at the Redcliffe Tigers clubhouse on Thursday.

“The game of Aussie rules football has seen huge growth across Moreton Bay Region over the past decade on the back of the success of the Brisbane Lions and the newer Gold Coast Suns expansion,” he said.

“Council is playing our part to ensure kids, women and men of all ages have the opportunity to take up the sport in our region by investing millions of dollars into facilities in multiple locations.

“The new Nathan Road Sports Ground and facilities is a huge boost for the Redcliffe Peninsula and the 500-plus members who play for the mighty Redcliffe Tigers, but especially for the women’s program which has boomed since receiving their own dedicated new facilities.

“This is the third major AFL facility Council has built over the past 10 years, with our Burpengary and Brendale grounds playing host to AFL preseason matches, AFLW home and away fixtures and we’ve just signed up for 9 VFL games to be played between them for the 2021 season.

“Having three state-of-the-art AFL facilities is great for young aspiring footballers and for the lifestyle of families in the region, as well as local businesses who are so heavily entrenched in the local football clubs through sponsorships.

“It’s a very proud day to receive this recognition from the AFL for all the hard work Council staff have put in to grow AFL in our region and provide some of the very best community facilities in Australia.

“We look forward to working with the AFL in the future to deliver great outcomes for the community.”

Head of AFL Queensland Trisha Squires congratulated Moreton Bay Regional Council on its outstanding delivery of another fantastic Aussie rules football facility.

“Congratulations to Moreton Bay Regional Council on the successful delivery of this project and thank you to all the staff and contractors who played a role in developing this $18.8 million project.

“This is a terrific example of where we want facilities across the State to get to in terms of being accessible and welcoming environments for all user groups including the Redcliffe Tigers.

“I know from AFL Queensland’s point of view, we’re constantly referring other Council’s to Moreton Bay in terms of operating practice, support for clubs and facility planning and delivery.

“It is clear Council is one of the best in Queensland and it focussed on delivering facilities that meet community need.

“Earlier this year the Queensland Government and the AFL announced a new $8m Grand Final Facilities Fund.

“This fund makes new funding available for female-friendly changerooms, new ovals, upgrades to existing fields and lighting, and is open to community clubs, schools and local councils.      

“I know Moreton Bay Regional Council are focussed on delivering other AFL projects across the region and I look forward to working with Council to improve facilities for all of our users.”

Redcliffe Tigers president Gayle Wetzel said the club’s first year at the new Nathan Road Sports Ground facilities had been a major success thanks to Council and the AFL’s ongoing expansion.

“Council were able to deliver our new home ground and facilities right at the beginning of COVID so it was a great boost for our club and the local community,” she said.

“We’ve already put it to good use in it’s first year and it’s a facility the club is really proud to show off when we host the other teams from the competition.

“The new clubhouse, amenities and ground will help us expand and grow our club, which already has more than 500 members across men’s, women’s juniors, Auskick and masters grades.

“This will particularly help us with our women’s game which has gone from strength to strength over the past couple of years, so I’d like to thank both the Council for these facilities and the AFL for continuing to expand the game so we can reach more people.”