MEDIA RELEASE - Gwawley Park South Lighting upgrades a major score for AFL
Local AFL athletes, along with other sporting clubs and recreational users such as touch football, cricket, Oz Tag, and neighbouring schools, are set to benefit from a significant upgrade to the lighting at Gwawley Park South sports fields, with work officially commencing today.
Outdated floodlighting will be replaced with modern, energy-efficient lighting that will enhance visibility for players and spectators alike and was made possible through funding of $225,000 from the Office of Sport, $100,000 from AFL, and $322,381 from Sutherland Shire Council.
Sutherland Shire Mayor, Councillor Jack Boyd, was today joined by Minister for Sport Stephen Kamper, Head of AFL NSW/ACT Andrew Varasdi, and Councillors Carmelo Pesce, Jen Armstrong, and Haris Strangas to turn the first sod and mark the official start of work.
Sutherland Shire Mayor, Councillor Jack Boyd, welcomed the investment in improved lighting, which will enhance visibility, safety, and accessibility, ensuring more people can enjoy the fields for training, competition, and community programs.
“Sport plays an essential role in bringing our community together, and these upgrades will provide a significant boost for AFL, touch football, and other local clubs and community users,” Mayor Boyd said.
“With improved lighting, more people will have the opportunity to train and compete in a safe, well-lit environment year-round.
“This project is part of Council’s ongoing commitment to enhancing sports facilities and ensuring our growing population has access to quality sporting infrastructure now and into the future.”
Head of AFL NSW/ACT, Andrew Varasdi, emphasised the positive impact the upgrades will have on local clubs and the wider community.
“Upgrades like this make a real difference at the grassroots level, giving players, volunteers, and families access to better facilities.
“For clubs like Cronulla Junior AFL, improved lighting means more opportunities for training, competition, and community engagement, helping to grow participation and support the next generation of athletes. Given the growth Cronulla has had over the past 5 years, these upgrades are much needed to allow the club to continue to grow and provide a great experience.
“The lighting upgrade will also improve accessibility for people with disabilities, supporting inclusive programs such as AFL’s Kickability Program. Additionally, the improved lighting will enable Gwawley Park South to host important community events and gala days.
Minister for Sport, The Hon. Stephen Kamper, said projects like these demonstrate the NSW Government’s commitment to investing in local sporting infrastructure.
“This project shows how the NSW Government is supporting our sporting communities from the grassroots and beyond to help increase participation, and deliver fit-for-purpose facilities,” Minister Kamper said.
“The funding provided directly to community sports clubs and associations allows them to deliver programs and equipment to best support their participants.”
“With the critical role sport plays in keeping people healthy, active and socially connected, this funding is vital to community health, wellbeing and sense of identity.”
With works now underway, the upgraded lighting is set to enhance the sporting experience for the entire community, ensuring Gwawley Park South remains a safe, inclusive, and high-quality facility for years to come.
The next phase of these upgrades, confirmed within Council’s capital works program, includes lighting enhancements to the Gwawley Park North sports fields. This will directly benefit sports such as rugby league and touch football, further contributing to improved access and usability for all sporting and recreational participants at Gwawley Park sports precinct.
For more information on Council’s Sports Strategy, please visit: https://www.sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au/strategies