Thebarton Oval History?

[Sojourner]

Found this button image posted online of what appears to be a West Torrens Player on "Thebarton Recreation Ground" circa 1919. Yet I am not having much luck on finding out any of the details of the history of the oval, such as why and when it was built and how it came to be the home of the West Torrens Eagles.

Any SANFL history buffs want to put me in the loop?

http://news.webshots.com/photo/11470857 ... 5966LwlTGd

[Leaping Lindner]

As I understand it West Torrens' home grounds were

1894 - 1896 Kensington Oval (Known as Port Natives)
1897 - 1900 Alberton Oval
1901 - 1904 Jubilee Oval
1905 - 1921 Hindmarsh Oval
1922 - 1941 Thebarton Oval
1942 - 1944 Alberton Oval (Port Adelaide/West Torrens)
1945 - 1989 Thebarton Oval
1990 - Football Park

Also as I understand it when Port Natives changed their name to West Torrens in 1897 they cleared an area of land near Port Road to use as training ground. This became known as Hindmarsh Oval. Presumably this wasn't up to league standard until 1905.
This was used right up until 1922 when West Torrens moved to Thebarton (coincidentally the same year North moved to Prospect).
The reason the badge is dated 1919 is (i'd imagine) that a lot of work would have been done post WW1 to make it a memorial for fallen soldiers (ditto North). Why it took another three years to play league games there I couldn't tell you.
This is a Prospect badge from the same era...

[spell_check]

I'm not sure how Thebarton Oval came about as a ground, but I do know that Hindmarsh Oval was constantly criticised as an oval. As in John Storers, book, it must have been used for trial matches before 1922 or something like that.

Between 1923 amd 1925 West used Hindmarsh Oval for the Reserves, before moving to the Showgrounds.

[Adelaide Hawk]

I think Thebarton Oval was a speedway track in the 1920s before they began using it as a football oval.

[FattyLumpkin]

Jubilee & Hindmarsh Ovals - where exactly were (are) they??

[spell_check]

Hindmarsh Oval is where Hindmarsh Stadium is now.

Jubilee Oval was on the corner of Frome Road and Victoria Drive. This link shows where the oval was:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jubilee_Exhibition_Railway

[Aerie]

I think Thebarton Oval was a speedway track in the 1920s before they began using it as a football oval.

Right you are. I just did a quick google search and came across this link - http://www.ausm.info/aus_history/1920-30/thebarton.htm

At the moment the council are planning on spending $150,000 upgrading the grandstands and will be building a community hub at the Oval, so good to see somewhat of a resurgence at Thebby.

Anyone know any more history of Thebarton Oval? When were the grandstands built? etc.

[smac]

Aerie, in addition the SAAFL have taken on the head lease at Thebarton and plan to build (with financial support from the SANFL) a convention centre, childcare facility and a few other things. Also I believe the SANFL umpires will be based there.

[McAlmanac]

I think Thebarton Oval was a speedway track in the 1920s before they began using it as a football oval.

It often resembled a speedway track when used for football.

[Mickyj]

I think Thebarton Oval was a speedway track in the 1920s before they began using it as a football oval.

It often resembled a speedway track when used for football.

Are you that old McAlmanac to remember the 1920's

[Leaping Lindner]

I think Thebarton Oval was a speedway track in the 1920s before they began using it as a football oval.

It often resembled a speedway track when used for football.

Ah yes! Those VERY local showers that only ever seemed to occur over Thebarton. I noticed they were particularly bad from 1977-1980 for some reason, but I am sure that's a coincidence.

[Aerie]

Here are some plans for the redevelopment: http://www.wtcc.sa.gov.au/webdata/resou ... r_Plan.pdf

Major talking points would be Adelaide Utd forming an admin base there and two soccer ovals on Kings Reserve, a complete overhaul of the lighting and a community centre being built which can hold artefacts from the Australian Society of Magicians who currently do their thing in the Air Raid Shelter...

[Barto]

The Australian Society of Magicians are located there. Obviously they weren't prior to '89.

[Ian]

Story on the redevelopment in todays 'tiser

http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,24455326-2682,00.html



"A FIVE-storey retirement village, two-storey medical clinic and a 90-place childcare centre are key features of a $45 million plan to reinvigorate the western suburbs."

[Psyber]

.."A FIVE-storey retirement village, two-storey medical clinic and a 90-place childcare centre are key features of a $45 million plan to reinvigorate the western suburbs."

I hope it has enough lifts and they are big enough to cope with walking frames and the odd wheel chair...
I wonder if they thought of that. There is a tendency to assume people in a retirement village won't become frail before they move on to nursing homes, but it isn't necessarily so, given the shortage of nursing home places.

[Aerie]

.."A FIVE-storey retirement village, two-storey medical clinic and a 90-place childcare centre are key features of a $45 million plan to reinvigorate the western suburbs."

I hope it has enough lifts and they are big enough to cope with walking frames and the odd wheel chair...
I wonder if they thought of that. There is a tendency to assume people in a retirement village won't become frail before they move on to nursing homes, but it isn't necessarily so, given the shortage of nursing home places.

And I thought the idea of building lights for night football and building a 5 storey retirement village right next door is a little oxymoronic...

[PhilH]

It was home to the Gridiron Association of South Australia from 1988 - 1993, after baseball forced a move from Norwood.

I have many fond memories, 1st & 2nd Gridiron premierships with the Breakers, meeting my first girlfriend (opposition cheerleader), getting a regular commnetary gig on the PA system.

Has also been base for
- SA Rugby League (prior to Rams)
- West Torrens Cricket Club.

In 1993 they moved to the Pines Hockey Stadium at Gepps Cross where they have been based ever since.

[Footy Chick]

It was home to the Gridiron Association of South Australia from 1988 - 1993, after baseball forced a move from Norwood.

I have many fond memories, 1st & 2nd Gridiron premierships with the Breakers, meeting my first girlfriend (opposition cheerleader), getting a regular commnetary gig on the PA system.

Has also been base for
- SA Rugby League (prior to Rams)
- West Torrens Cricket Club.

In 1993 they moved to the Pines Hockey Stadium at Gepps Cross where they have been based ever since.

Same here Phil, remember Thebby as a Spartans cheerleader then moving onto the Pines. Finished up with the Spartans as a trainer. haven't done the gridiron thing for a couple years now. Bloody primadonnas.

Thebby now the home of the SAAFL...

[McAlmanac]

Scored a few cricket matches there. I remember West Torrens v Woodville U/23 in 77/78 - the Eagles side included a young Jeff Crowe and David Hookes.

[MightyEagles]

Scored a few cricket matches there. I remember West Torrens v Woodville U/23 in 77/78 - the Eagles side included a young Jeff Crowe and David Hookes.

D. Hookes also played underage football with West Torrens before playing cricket on a more full time basis.