Facilities

The SANFL Infrastructure Plan 2022-2032 provides a 10-year road map that addresses the planning, provision and enhancement of football facilities, and identifies the areas of greatest need for investment.

Using a sound evidence base of facility audits, existing participant and likely market demand data, the plan strives to identify the current infrastructure gaps and future requirements needed to better support Australian football across SA.

At the three year mark of the Plan, an update on achievements towards targets has been complied to both celebrate the delivery of football facilities projects as well as highlight the regions that still require investment and support in order to reach targets.

SANFL has also created a registration of interest process, where clubs and asset owners can let us know about works required at your venue.

The registration of interest has been designed to collect essential information to build a database of projects. This will enable SANFL to present your project to relevant funding partners and to advocate the need for investment.

The AFL Preferred Facility Guidelines should be used by State and Territory Australian Football Controlling Bodies, Councils, Leagues, Clubs, Schools and associated stakeholders to inform the provision and development of appropriate facilities for community level Australian Football venues.

SANFL has developed a number of factsheets to help guide the way when starting your project journey. These fact sheets provide detail on key documents, processes, funding opportunities and contacts you should consider to support your project.

The South Australian Football Facility award annually recognises best practice in community football facility development across the state.

The award aims to promote and celebrate the provision of well positioned, welcoming, accessible, fit for purpose football facilities that support our growing game’s strategic priorities.

To acknowledge and celebrate the diverse scale and scope of community football facility developments across the state, the award is presented in two categories recognising projects valued either below or above $3.5 million.

Two significant South Australian football facility developments have been recognised as winners of the 2025 SANFL Football Facility of the Year Awards.

A centrepiece of 2025 AFL Gather Round, The Barossa Council’s Barossa Park development at Lyndoch was announced as winner of the Community Football Facility of the Year Award (over $3.5 million) and South Adelaide Football Club’s new purpose-built female changerooms were awarded the Community Football Facility of the Year Award (under $3.5m).

Nominations for the 2026 Award will open in July 2026.

The AFL Ken Gannon Community Football Facilities Awards annually recognise best practise in community football facility development across Australia, along with the people, clubs and other stakeholders driving our best projects.

In a decorated career across many areas of the code, Ken spent much of his last decade of his career developing the AFL’s interest and partnerships in the community facilities space, leading outcomes related to over 800 community football facility projects in that period.

These projects area remarkable examples of best practice that aim to provide well positioned, welcoming, fit for purpose football facilities that support our growing game’s strategic priorities.

South Australian finalists include Max Amber Sportsfield (2022), Norwood (2021), Whyalla (2020) and Mount Barker (2019).

You can learn more about these projects, as well as other finalists from around the country below.

Wonderful work continues to be undertaken in South Australia in partnership with many different stakeholders to improve existing venues and develop new precincts.

We trust you enjoy hearing about the stories behind these projects and look to replicate some of these project features in your own community in coming years.

Discover the ultimate resource for securing financial support with our comprehensive, one-stop shop grants and funding website.

Whether you're seeking facility, program, or equipment grants, our platform offers a wealth of information to guide you through the application process. Stay ahead with the latest updates on available grants and fundraising support by checking out our website today.