Construction starts on $25 million SANFL Talent Facility

SANFL’s investment in the next generation of South Australian football stars has taken a major step forward with construction starting on its $25.3 million Talent and Community Facility at West Lakes.

The facility, the first of its type for Australian football nationally, will be built adjacent to Football Park on land owned by SANFL and become the high-performance training venue for SANFL’s elite male and female under-16s and under-18s, as well as First Nations and multicultural talent academies.

The facility is a centrepiece in SANFL’s continued efforts to provide the best possible pathways for male and female talent to participate at SANFL or AFL level.

The SANFL Talent and Community Facility – funded by SANFL, the state and federal governments and the AFL – will feature:

• Unisex player changerooms, gymnasium, rehabilitation suites, coaching and education facilities
• Multi-purpose community function centre
• Allied health practice rooms accessible by the community
• New administration offices for SANFL’s Talent Department
• Landscaping and plaza works to support community and sporting events.

Approximately 300 young footballers each year are anticipated to use the facility, which is planned to be completed in November 2025.

SANFL is investing more than $14 million on the project, with a further $11 million coming from State and Federal funding and $250,000 from the AFL.

SANFL earlier this year secured a non-exclusive license from the City of Charles Sturt for use of the adjoining Football Park oval, to be used for State under-age talent training and trial matches, with community access available at all other times.

SANFL CEO Darren Chandler said the SANFL Talent and Community Facility will be a gamechanger for the development of football talent in South Australia.

“The construction of the $25 million Talent and Community precinct at West Lakes is a monumental step forward for SANFL and our commitment to developing the best young male and female athletes in our state,” Mr Chandler said.

“This significant project, which has been over five years in the making, gives our most talented young players the best opportunity to succeed and to realise the dream of playing Australian football at the highest levels.

“Not only will it be a state-of-the-art facility that supports young South Australians, but also a place for broader community connection, enjoyment and improved health and wellbeing.

“We are thrilled to finally see this exciting project for the future of football in South Australia come to life over the next 12 months.”

South Australian Minister for Sport, Recreation and Racing Katrine Hildyard said the facility is a shining example of the State Government’s commitment to investing in sport for the community and brightest football prospects.

“I am so pleased that construction on this outstanding facility is underway,” Ms Hildyard said.

“Community facilities like this are powerful in improving people’s physical, mental and emotional health and wellbeing, in bringing people together and in creating a really strong sense of community.

“This inclusive facility will further cement South Australia as a national leader for women’s football.

“Backing girls and women in sport means creating the facilities they need to equally and actively participate in the sport they love; this facility sends a strong message that they are welcome to do just that.”

Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said the facility will support more than 300 players directly involved in SANFL underage male and female state talent programs, as well as First Nations and multicultural programs.

“It will enhance community connections while supporting Australians’ health and wellbeing – two values at the core of our government’s approach to federal funding,” Ms King said.

Federal Minister for Health and Member for Hindmarsh Mark Butler said he is thrilled the Federal Government can help deliver this new facility at West Lakes.

“Our investment in the old Football Park space will mean community members can use this multi-purpose function centre and education spaces,” Mr Butler said.

City of Charles Sturt Mayor Angela Evans welcomed the investment in the new SANFL Talent and Community Facility.

“Sport and recreation mean the world to our community, and the 80 different sporting clubs and associations that call our City home are a testament to this,” Ms Evans said.

“This new state of the art facility brings the SANFL back to West Lakes and we are excited that the City of Charles Sturt will play a role in the future development of our young athletes.”

SANFL Talent & Community Facility Funding Partners