SAFC Master Plan: Additional Funding

The South Adelaide Football Club has been awarded a $250,000 grant through Round 2 of the SA Football Facilities Fund to continue improving its football infrastructure.

The grant is part of an $8 million initiative jointly funded by the State Government, AFL, and SANFL, designed to grow the game and cement the AFL Gather Round legacy for South Australia's football community.

The funding will contribute to upgrades at Magain Stadium, including enhancements to the club's player changerooms, amenities, and interchange areas.

SAFC CEO Neill Sharpe expressed gratitude toward the State Government, AFL, and SANFL for their support:

“We are extremely grateful to all parties for their coordinated support of South Adelaide. Our players, supporters, and community can look forward to continuing upgrades at Magain Stadium."

“Realising our masterplan is a priority, and we've had productive discussions with key football and State Government stakeholders over the past week."

"Hosting an AFL Gather Round game in the South would be transformative for the club and community. We want to provide a facility that can accommodate that and the community can be extremely proud of.”

The club’s previously announced Masterplan outlines a vision to invest $16.25 million in new player facilities, $8.2 million in precinct upgrades (including 1000 lux oval lighting), and $7.72 million in bistro and function space improvements.

Recent funding highlights include:

• Election Commitments: SAFC secured a $5 million commitment from a re-elected Labor Government and $2 million from an elected Liberal Government to develop female-friendly changerooms.
• Collaborative Projects: In 2023, SAFC partnered with Cardijn College and SANFL to deliver a $450,000 floodlighting project, featuring electronic scoreboard and backing nets. SAFC contributed $100,000 to this project.
• Philanthropic Support: Redarc Electronics fully funded SAFC’s new Sportal scoreboard, enhancing the game-day experience for all grades of football.
• Facility Upgrades: SAFC re-purposed $2 million of State Government funding to install a new irrigation system and develop female-friendly changerooms beneath the Jim Deane Grandstand. Despite delays due to steel structure issues, the changerooms are expected to be completed within the next three months.

South Adelaide continues to benefit from diverse sources of support as it strives to bring its ambitious Masterplan to life and achieve its vision for the future and the community.