Night games at Thebby Oval in 2011

[Mr Fuller]

New quest to light Thebby Oval

A FRESH bid for new floodlights might pave the way for night football at Thebarton Oval next season.

The SA Amateur Football League (SAAFL) has lodged a second application with Sport Minister Michael Wright for $160,000 after an earlier bid was rejected by the Government.

It was submitted under the Government’s community facilities recreation and sports program, which was recently allocated an extra $4 million.

SAAFL chief executive Mark Shadiac hoped the extra pool of available money would make the difference this time.

“Along with a letter of endorsement from West Torrens Council and a $100,000 commitment from the Australian Football League, I think we have a better chance,” he said. “The upgrade will have new technology to provide three grades of lighting including low level for training ... and full capacity where we could play SANFL matches.”

Mr Shadiac said various amateur league divisions would play night games if the project proceeded and Woodville-West Torrens had promised to play some matches there once lights were up.

“If we get support from the Government, it will be all systems go,” Mr Shadiac said. “Hopefully we will see upgraded lights at Thebarton sometime in the 2011 season.”

A spokeswoman for Mr Wright said a decision would not be made until next year. West Torrens Council has also pledged money for the project, subject to council approval.

EAGLES KEEN TO FLY AT NIGHT

PLAYING night matches at Thebarton Oval would be a boon for Eagles supporters, Woodville-West Torrens Football Club says.

Eagles coach Michael Godden said using Thebarton’s lights would allow the club to increase its reach across the west.

“We are always trying to do the best we can by our supporters and this will give them another opportunity to see us play,” he said.

“It will be good if we can increase our attendance as well.”

Thebarton Oval was the home ground for the former West Torrens Football Club from 1922 until its amalgamation with Woodville in 1991. The Eagles have since been based at Woodville Oval and have only played a handful of matches at Thebarton in recent years.

Eagles CEO Chris Davies said the bid to upgrade the lights at the Ashley St ground was the only opportunity for the club to play home games at night.

“We don’t have that opportunity at Woodville so if Thebarton had lights we would play night games there,” he said.

“It is good to acknowledge the club’s historic ties to the oval as well.”

[bayman]

would be great for footy in general, i just hope they don't ban pilko the pasty man like kym russell has at richmond oval

[Big Phil]

I reckon they need to spend a bit of coin giving the ground a bit of an upgrade as well...

The Grandstands aren't the greatest and they don't have any media facilities there...

All that aside, I think it would be great to have night footy at Thebby, great for the Eagles and the SANFL...

[Sojourner]

As BP says, with the right money also put into the restoration of the facilities there I do think it could easily become one of the best venues for SANFL night games and along with the Eagles I would hope that the other SANFL sides that don't have access to lights for home matches look into it as well!

[bayman]

i noticed as i drove past that there was a match at thebarton last saturday night, i presume it was gridion or soccer

[PhilH]

That would be the Gridiron which has returned to Thebarton after 15 years at the Hockey Stadium.

Lights bareley OK for Gridiron which is based on 60% of the oval, not up to footy standards.

One issue I heard re last years knockback was the fact Thebarton was a single sport facility.

If Gridiron becomes the summer tennant then it becomes multisport.

Hope it happens ....

[Columbo]

would be great for footy in general, i just hope they don't ban pilko the pasty man like kym russell has at richmond oval

Thats not good news, his pies are the best. Any idea why he has been banned bayman??

[pmackk]

Good to hear that they might be bringing footy back to thebby.

[bayman]

would be great for footy in general, i just hope they don't ban pilko the pasty man like kym russell has at richmond oval

Thats not good news, his pies are the best. Any idea why he has been banned bayman??

ask kym russell as he told pilko he's not to comeback & sell his pies & pasties at richmond oval anymore (pilko spent his money at richmond during the week, every week ashe & his wife are avid bingo players, whether they're still going to bingo i don't know) it wont make me buy the $1.00 balfours pasties on the way out because i don't like them but what it will do is stop me from going to richmond when another game is on at the same time (apart from glenelg games) & then i wont be buying 3 steak sandwiches & drinks earlier in the day plus whatever littlebayman wants & he doesn't come cheap when feeding him as i'll be elsewhere

[Columbo]

would be great for footy in general, i just hope they don't ban pilko the pasty man like kym russell has at richmond oval

Thats not good news, his pies are the best. Any idea why he has been banned bayman??

ask kym russell as he told pilko he's not to comeback & sell his pies & pasties at richmond oval anymore (pilko spent his money at richmond during the week, every week ashe & his wife are avid bingo players, whether they're still going to bingo i don't know) it wont make me buy the $1.00 balfours pasties on the way out because i don't like them but what it will do is stop me from going to richmond when another game is on at the same time (apart from glenelg games) & then i wont be buying 3 steak sandwiches & drinks earlier in the day plus whatever littlebayman wants & he doesn't come cheap when feeding him as i'll be elsewhere

I guess Westies are just trying to make sure they are maximising profits (believe they made the same decision at Angle Park Dogs) and thats the way things go these days but still it's a bit of a bugger for him and all the pie fans....will just have to get down to Morphettville and get them after the races!

[bayman]

spot on columbo or at globe derby on saturday nights, usually around 8.15pm & at the corner where the 'archway' entrance to the back carpark is .........definately the best pasties in the land, i had my last pasty from last saturdays shopping for lunch today

[HeartBeatsTrue]

Good luck getting any money from the State Govt in the next few years.

[Barto]

Good luck getting any money from the State Govt in the next few years.

The only thing they seem to have money for is AO. Forget health.

[am Bays]

Good luck getting any money from the State Govt in the next few years.

The only thing they seem to have money for is AO. Forget health.

The new Mike aka RAH???

[Squawk]

The SANFL night comp draws closer still.

[Bluedemon]

i know that the SAAFL have spent some money on the upgrade of facilites and the grandstand.

[MightyEagles]

i know that the SAAFL have spent some money on the upgrade of facilites and the grandstand.

As they should, as the SAAFL do play games there.

[Big Phil]

i know that the SAAFL have spent some money on the upgrade of facilites and the grandstand.

As they should, as the SAAFL do play games there.

Yeah, and the Div 1 and 2 Grand Final are played there also, but despite the upgrades, they still need to do more to get it up to SANFL standard.

[Dog_ger]

Can't really see night games played here in 2011.

Sorry Guys.

[Mickyj]

i know that the SAAFL have spent some money on the upgrade of facilites and the grandstand.

Kookas I've been sitting in the "newer" of the two grandstands the last two weeks.I'm struggling to see any improvements.All be it a funny little shelter near the northern end.

It could be said by some that this is a media beat up or rehash from this time last year IMHO.