MEDIA RELEASE - Sports clubs ready to ‘kick goals and hit sixes’ at the newly upgraded Box Road Reserve sports fields
Local sporting clubs and community groups now have access to high-quality playing fields all year round at Box Road Reserve, Sylvania, following a $2.9 million upgrade to the sports fields and surrounds.
To celebrate the successful completion of this significant project, Sutherland Shire Mayor, Councillor Jack Boyd, was today joined by The Hon Dr. Sarah Kaine MLC, Member for Miranda Eleni Petinos, Councillors Carmelo Pesce, Jen Armstrong and Haris Strangas, representatives from Cricket NSW, Sylvania Heights Community & Youth Club, Football NSW, and Sutherland Shire Football Association, to officially open the upgraded facilities.
Sutherland Shire Mayor, Councillor Jack Boyd said the upgrades would provide long-term benefits for local soccer, cricket, and OzTag players, as well as school and community groups that regularly use the reserve.
“These upgrades have transformed Box Road Reserve, improving the playing surface, providing more opportunities for various sporting groups to better utilise the space, ensuring that our local athletes – whether they’re training, competing, or just having a kick around with friends – have access to the best possible playing conditions,” Mayor Boyd said.
“Sutherland Shire has a rich sporting culture, and we’re seeing unprecedented growth in participation across all levels of sport – particularly in female soccer following the Matildas’ inspiring World Cup campaign.
“These upgrades will help support that growing participation, creating more opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to stay active and involved in sport.”
The upgrades included two re-levelled grass playing fields with irrigation and enhanced drainage to improve all year-round use of the fields, a new and improved cricket pitch catering to all levels, upgraded LED floodlighting, and pathways to enhance safety and accessibility for all users.
Cricket NSW CEO Lee Germon said the completion of the project would see more children playing cricket in the Sutherland Shire.
“Cricket NSW is pleased to have been able to support these significant facility upgrades via the Australian Cricket Infrastructure Fund,” Germon said.
“It is important to recognise the strong collaboration between all parties involved in the project and that is something that should be applauded.
“The field upgrades and the refurbishment of the four training nets onsite will go a long way to inspiring more people, particularly children, to play and love cricket.”
Minister for Sport Steve Kamper highlighted the NSW Government’s dedication to enhancing sporting infrastructure at a grassroots level across the state.
“The NSW Government is proud to have contributed $1.79 million towards the transformation of these sports fields that will cater to a wide range of sporting interests, allowing more people to enjoy and participate in sport” Mr. Kamper said.
“Box Road Reserve sports fields exemplify the positive outcomes that can be achieved through effective collaboration between local and state governments.”
Delivered by Sutherland Shire Council, the project was supported by a grant from the NSW Government, in addition to contributions from Cricket NSW and Sylvania Heights Community & Youth Club.
Member for Miranda Eleni Petinos said the project was a testament to the strong collaboration between State Government, local sporting associations and clubs, and Council to deliver much-needed upgrades for the community.
“Sport is such an integral part of life in the Sutherland Shire, and the upgrades at Box Road Reserve will ensure our local sporting clubs and athletes have access to the high-quality facilities they deserve,” Ms Petinos said.
“This is about more than just improving playing conditions – it’s about creating a space where our community can come together, support each other, and foster a love of sport and talent that will benefit generations to come.”
Sylvania Heights Community & Youth Club President, Trent Jordan, also welcomed the improvements.
“These upgrades mark the beginning of an exciting new era in our club’s 70-year association with Box Road Reserve. The transformation has been extraordinary, and we are immensely proud of what has been achieved.
“This substantial investment will bolster the club’s efforts to increase participation in football and cricket and inspire our players to become tomorrow’s champions. We look forward to hosting many games and events, deepening our connection within the community, and creating lasting positive impacts for future generations,” Mr Jordan said
For more information on Council’s vision for local sports infrastructure, head to Council’s Sports Strategy