STRATEGIC DIRECTION
VISION
To create sustainable, inclusive and future-ready football infrastructure that enhances participation, strengthens communities and celebrates the global game at the local level.
OBJECTIVES
Enable targeted investment in areas of most need.
PURPOSE
To prioritise and deliver strategic infrastructure investments that respond to population growth, address participation demand and ensure equitable access to quality football facilities across the Hunter Valley.
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
n Invest in venues with the greatest need and potential for impact.
n Expand capacity of existing fields through lighting, surface upgrades and irrigation.
n Deliver inclusive facilities that enable participation from all ages, genders and abilities.
n Plan and deliver new facilities aligned with regional population growth.
n Leverage partnerships with councils, government and private sector to maximise return on investment.
POPULATION CONTEXT
The Hunter Valley is experiencing sustained growth across its LGAs, with strong implications for future demand in sport and recreation infrastructure.
PLAYING FIELD SUMMARY
NUMBER OF VENUES
NUMBER OF FIELDS NPL VENUES
SYNTHETIC FIELDS
CHANGE ROOM SUMMARY
STRATEGIC ALIGNMENT
THIS STRATEGY SUPPORTS:
NSW GOVERNMENT ACTIVE RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE GUIDELINES
STATE AND FEDERAL INFRASTRUCTURE GRANT OBJECTIVES
2024-26 STRATEGIC PLAN DEVELOPMENT
NORTHERN NSW FOOTBALL STRATEGIC PLAN (2024–2026)
LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMUNITY AND RECREATION STRATEGIES
INFRASTRUCTURE PRIORITIES
PLANNING FOR GROWTH
1 2 3 4
With the population expected to grow by more than 45,000 residents across the region by 2041, the demand for sporting infrastructure, particularly for football, will increase significantly. Facility planning must align with urban growth corridors and future land-use priorities.
ENHANCING CAPACITY
n Many fields lack sufficient lighting and drainage, limiting use during wet weather and after dark.
n Irrigation coverage is inconsistent, increasing maintenance costs and limiting surface quality.
n Targeted lighting and surface upgrades can increase capacity by up to 20 per cent across the network.
SUPPORTING INCLUSION
n Fewer than 30 per cent of venues have gender-neutral or female-friendly change rooms.
n Facilities to support referees, volunteers and spectators, particularly women and young people, are essential to participation growth.
n Accessibility upgrades are critical to ensure facilities are inclusive for people with disability.
ESTABLISHING HOMES OF FOOTBALL
n The Hunter Valley lacks a dedicated regional home for football.
n Long-term planning should identify opportunities to develop synthetic surfaces and regional hubs that can support year-round use, elite development and tournament hosting.
2025–2030 FLAGSHIP PROJECTS
VENUE / PROJECT
ESTIMATED COST
BOLWARRA OVAL $1.2M
DESCRIPTION
AMENITIES AND CHANGE ROOM REFURBISHMENT (GENDER NEUTRAL)
BADDELEY PARK $700K LIGHTING UPGRADE FIELD ONE
LOCHINVAR SPORTS COMPLEX $600K DRAINAGE AND IRRIGATION
BERYL HUMBLE SPORTING COMPLEX
$600K
AMENITIES AND CHANGEROOM REFURBISHMENT (GENDER NEUTRAL)
CARMICHAEL PARK $575K LIGHTING UPGRADE TO TWO FIELDS
BILL ROSE SPORTING COMPLEX $400K FIELD SURFACE UPGRADES
BIRRALEE OVAL
$600K LIGHTING ON TWO FIELDS
PRIORITY PROJECTS
BOLWARRA OVAL, BOLWARRA
FACILITIES Multi-sport (cricket and football)
PROJECT
Amenities and change room refurbishment (gender neutral)
COST $1,200,000
RATIONALE Existing facilities date to 1970s.
BADDELEY PARK, CESSNOCK
FACILITIES Multi-sport (cricket and football)
PROJECT
Lighting upgrade for second field including power upgrade
COST $700,000
RATIONALE
OUTPUTS
Encourages continued increase in female participation and upgrade will support volunteer experience.
OUTPUTS
Inadequate lighting limits night games and training
Supports fastest growing club in Cessnock LGA, incl. special needs players.
LOCHINVAR SPORTS COMPLEX
FACILITIES Multi-sport (cricket and football)
PROJECT Drainage and irrigation
COST $650,000
RATIONALE
OUTPUTS
200 per cent participant growth in five years; 37 per cent female.
Enables expansion and supports Friday night competition fixtures.
PRIORITY PROJECTS
BERYL HUMBLE OVAL, TENAMBIT
FACILITIES Multi-sport (cricket and football)
PROJECT
Amenities and changeroom refurbishment (gender neutral).
COST $600,000
RATIONALE
OUTPUTS
Needed to support female participants and officials.
Enables inclusive environment for growth.
PRIORITY PROJECTS
CARMICHAEL PARK, BELLBIRD
FACILITIES Multi-sport (cricket and football)
PROJECT Lighting upgrade on second field.
COST $575,000
RATIONALE Increases training and night matches capacity.
BILL ROSE SPORTS COMPLEX, SCONE
FACILITIES Multi-sport (cricket and football)
PROJECT Surface upgrades on main field
COST $400,000
RATIONALE
OUTPUTS
The oval is also used by other users who would also benefit from the additional lighting and provide an opportunity to play more football more often. Rapidly growing residential area.
OUTPUTS
Current field is very uneven and has cracks and holes in it
A quality field will allow player development and growth. Masterplan currently being developed.
PRIORITY PROJECTS
BIRRALEE OVAL, KURRI KURRI
FACILITIES Football
PROJECT Lighting upgrade on two fields
COST $600,000
RATIONALE
OUTPUTS
Growth in football and in particular men’s and women’s Friday night competitions.
Supports a high growth club, enabling expanded training capacity and night competition matches.
