STRATEGIC DIRECTION
VISION
To develop sustainable, inclusive and high-quality football facilities that elevate the experience of the game for every player, coach, official and community member in the Northern Inland region.
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 Northern Inland region.
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
n Target investment in facilities where the need is greatest and the return on participation is strongest.
n Optimise and expand capacity at existing venues through lighting, drainage and surface improvements.
n Build inclusive environments, particularly through the delivery of gender-neutral change rooms and accessible amenities.
n Support new venues to meet the projected growth of the game and wider community needs.
n Foster partnerships with local government, community organisations and funding bodies to maximise outcomes.
POPULATION CONTEXT
The Northern Inland region is experiencing sustained growth across its LGA, with strong implications for future demand in sport and recreation infrastructure.
PLAYING FIELD SUMMARY
IRRIGATION & DRAINAGE
NUMBER OF VENUES
NUMBER OF FIELDS
NPL VENUES
SYNTHETIC FIELDS
FIELD LIGHTING
CHANGE ROOM SUMMARY
STRATEGIC ALIGNMENT
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 9,000 residents across the member zone 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 Only 33 per cent of venues have gender-neutral or female-friendly changerooms.
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 Long-term planning should identify opportunities to develop synthetic surfaces that can support year-round use, elite development and tournament hosting
2025–2030 FLAGSHIP PROJECTS
VENUE / PROJECT
ROLOGAS & WICKLOW SPORTING FIELDS
ESTIMATED COST
DESCRIPTION
$115k LIGHTING INSTALLATION
HARRIS PARK TBC NEW AMENITIES BUILDING
GIPPS STREET FIELDS TBC UPGRADE OF AMENITIES BUILDING
GATELY FIELD
$350K LIGHTING UPGRADE
GEOFF MORGAN FIELD $400K LIGHTING UPGRADE
HAROLD GOLLAND FIELD
$350K LIGHTING INSTALLATION
PRIORITY PROJECTS
ROLOGAS & WICKLOW SPORTING FIELDS, ARMIDALE
FACILITIES Football and other sports
PROJECT
Installation of lighting across all playing fields
COST $115,000
RATIONALE
OUTPUTS
Allow more players to play and train providing a better experience
Will allow club to grow and provide community a year-round facility. Will provide more playing and training time for participants
HARRIS PARK, ARMIDALE
FACILITIES Multi-sport (cricket and football)
PROJECT
Upgrade or new amenities are desperately required. Current amenities are substandard and non- compliant
COST TBC
RATIONALE
OUTPUTS
Universally designed amenities to cater for high female participation in multiple sports. Existing amenities provide a poor experience for participants
Provide safe and gender-neutral amenities to grow participation and increase retention rates
GIPPS STREET FIELDS, TAMWORTH
FACILITIES Multi-sport (Football & Touch Football)
PROJECT
Upgrade of existing outdated and unsuitable amenities building
COST TBC
RATIONALE
OUTPUTS
Current amenities are outdated and noncompliant. Masterplan will determine future needs and requirements for this major football hub facility
Upgraded amenities will provide a better experience for all the clubs and their participants that utilise this hub facility across the LGA
PRIORITY PROJECTS
GATELY FIELD, NARRABRI
FACILITIES Multi-sport (Football & Cricket)
PROJECT Field needs lighting upgrade
COST
RATIONALE
OUTPUTS
$350,000
The fields have no lighting. The addition of lighting will enable the club to conduct summer competitions and training during the winter months leading to growth and developing of football in the region. Council supports the lighting project, has approved the specifications of the lights and would work with the club to oversee the development
Field lighting will provide greater scheduling flexibility and provide opportunities for female participation
PRIORITY PROJECTS
GEOFF MORGAN FIELD, GUNNEDAH
FACILITIES Multi-sport (cricket and football)
PROJECT Lighting upgrade
COST
RATIONALE
OUTPUTS
$400,000
Lighting restricts training opportunities and ability to play night matches. Field lighting will provide greater scheduling flexibility and provide opportunities for female participation
Project will cater for growing participation and provide a safe and positive experience for players, coaches and volunteers
HAROLD GOLLAND FIELD, QUIRINDI
FACILITIES Multi-sport (Football & Cricket)
PROJECT Lighting installation
COST
$350,000
RATIONALE
OUTPUTS
Upgrade of lighting to facilitate more teams to be able to train and potential night matches. Supporting the growth of football in regional towns such as Quirindi remains an important priority
Project will cater for growing participation and provide a safe and positive experience for players, coaches and volunteers
SUMMARY AND NEXT STEPS
Football is the leading sport in Northern Inland region. Infrastructure upgrades critical to growth.
Drainage of fields is of critical importance.
Inclusive facilities key to female participation. Align with council strategies. Continue evidence-based planning and advocacy.
