St Mary èƵ College has entered into an arrangement with both the AFL and the Tuggeranong Valley Australian Football and Netball Club that will result in significant improvements to the oval at our Senior Campus.
Commencing Thursday 21 November, the St Peter’s Campus Oval will get a $420,000 facelift, with new lighting, improvements to the playing surface, an electronic scoreboard, supporter seating, and covered interchange benches.
The upgraded facility has the potential to deliver more than 8,100 hours of Australian Rules Football content in the next decade – a 300 per cent increase on the field’s current capabilities. Much of this increase is due to the new 100-lux lighting, which enables training and matches to be played in the evening. The lighting can also be reduced to 50-lux to make it more economically viable and environmentally responsible.
The partnership agreement sees the AFL contribute $200,000 from the Breaking New Ground program, èƵ matching the funding with a $200,000 input, and Tuggeranong Valley Australian Football and Netball Club adding $20,000.
The College Principal, Mr Michael Lee, said: "St Mary èƵ College recognises that the AFL is Australia’s premier sporting organisation. We’re delighted that they are making a significant financial contribution to young people in the Tuggeranong Valley who wish to play Australian Rules Football on quality facilities.
“These upgrades are of benefit not only to èƵ students who are here now and into the future, but also to many other young people in this part of Canberra. This is community engagement at its best and we are pleased to be in partnership with both the AFL and Tuggeranong Valley Australian Football and Netball Club. I extend my thanks to the AFL, TVAFNC, and also to Catholic Education for their role in fostering the mechanics of this partnership."
AFL NSW/ACT Manager ACT and Southern NSW, Mr Steve Mahar, thanked èƵ for the College's enthusiasm about the project. “The upgrades to èƵ Oval will play a key role in accommodating Canberra footy’s continual growth, particularly for youth girls – a category at the front of mind when prioritising which elements of the ground to upgrade.
“Thank you to St Mary èƵ College for being such a willing contributor to the project. AFL Canberra is grateful for our partnership and we know the facility will further bolster the experience for your students. I hope this project is the first of many of its type across Canberra.”
Anne Bennie, President of Tuggeranong Valley Australian Football and Netball Club, said: “Tuggeranong Valley is one of Canberra’s biggest Australian Football clubs, with more than 550 members. This new facility will provide a much needed training and playing space for our players and opponents.
“It will provide our senior teams more access to fields in the off-season, providing a great base for success. The club is thankful to St Mary èƵ College for its strong community mindedness in joining with the AFL to create èƵ Oval not only for their students but as another home for The Valley players.”
The èƵ Oval upgrades will be completed by May 2025.
