Resource Two 2nd Tier AFL Venues for Perth

[RedV3x]

Allowing local councils to bid on hosting the WAFL GF each year, could be a great way to get upgrades at their relevant ground through future bid processes.

Leederville Oval To host the 2022 WAFL Grand Final

The West Australian Football Commission (WAFC) is pleased to announce Leederville Oval in partnership with the City of Vincent, has been selected to host the 2022 WAFL Grand Final on Saturday, October 1. Leederville Oval was chosen against a selection criterion that included fan experience...

www.wafootball.com.au

Wouldn't it be better/simpler/nett more profitable to give the grand final to an oval that doesn't need turf replacement.
Can turf re-generate naturally over summer ?
Having a capacity limit because the ground doesn't have the infrastructure seems catch-22 to me.
I loved the WAFL grand final at Perth Stadium and IMO it would have grown as the event it used to be.

 

[kranger]

Optus Stadium is the states largest multi-sport venue, which hosts AFL games amongst other events like Wallabies, NRL State of Origin, A-League Grand Finals, concerts and maybe even a Major League Baseball game if the head of Optus Stadium gets his way. But as evident with the WAFL GF moving to Leederville Oval, Aussie Rules may loose out to other events, in this instance cricket matches.

Perth Oval is the second largest multi-sport venue, but is restricted to rectangle sports only, hosting soccer and both rugby codes. And Perth Arena is the small court multi-sports venue.

Since Optus Stadium was built, and Subiaco Oval subsequently demolished and turned into a community park (and soon to be surrounded by mixed use development), WA has lacked a state footy facility. Subiaco used to be that, as it was controlled by the WAFC and any scheduleling conflict would be won by aussie rules requirements.

The WAFC offices are even being temporarily housed in a former school in Tuart Hill.

All the other sports (except the rugby codes) have a ‘State Facility’ that they are in control of (or soon will for soccer):

Athletics - AK Reserve
Baseball - Baseball Park
Basketball - Bendat Basketball Centre
Cricket - WACA Ground
Cycling - Speed Dome
Hockey - Perth Hockey Stadium
Netball - Matthews Netball Centre
Soccer - State Football Centre
Softball - Mirrabooka Softball Centre
Tennis - State Tennis Centre
Volleyball - Mick Michael Park
Etc.

It could be argued that these facilities are on par with WAFL grounds, but Aussie Rules doesn’t have that sole state facility. Where funding can be directed into spectator comfort, media facilities and corporate facilities to host all the big footy games that Optus Stadium is just too large for, especially if the capacity gets expanded to 70,000.

A state footy facility could host:

• 10 x AFLW games;
• 2 x AFL preseason games;
• 6 x WAFL finals;
• 4 x WAFLW finals;
• WAFL vs other states;
• U18’s vs other states;
• U16’s vs other states;
• Football carnivals (masters etc);
• Trainings for state teams;
• Trainings for visiting AFL and AFLW teams;
• Even host AFL games (with a restricted crowd attendance) if Optus Stadium is out of action during the season.

Something with a total capacity of 25,000:

• 10,000 seat stand;
• great media facilities;
• lots of corporate boxes;
• grass banks around the rest of the field to reduce operating costs;
• lights for broadcasts;
• a second training/playing field(reduce west and tear, and great for carnival days);
• indoor training spaces;
• video screens;
• office space for WAFC;
• near pubs;
• near good public transport;

It would be great to be co-located with a WAFL club to really maximise usage.

 

[Rob]

I don't disagree with you, but athletics and basketball don't control their respective venues. Both are run by Venues West.

 

[TWLS]

Optus Stadium is the states largest multi-sport venue, which hosts AFL games amongst other events like Wallabies, NRL State of Origin, A-League Grand Finals, concerts and maybe even a Major League Baseball game if the head of Optus Stadium gets his way. But as evident with the WAFL GF moving to Leederville Oval, Aussie Rules may loose out to other events, in this instance cricket matches.

Perth Oval is the second largest multi-sport venue, but is restricted to rectangle sports only, hosting soccer and both rugby codes. And Perth Arena is the small court multi-sports venue.

Since Optus Stadium was built, and Subiaco Oval subsequently demolished and turned into a community park (and doomed to be surrounded by mixed use development), WA has lacked a state footy facility. Subiaco used to be that, as it was controlled by the WAFC and any scheduleling conflict would be won by aussie rules requirements.

The WAFC offices are even being temporarily housed in a former school in Tuart Hill.

All the other sports (except the rugby codes) have a ‘State Facility’ that they are in control of (or soon will for soccer):

Athletics - AK Reserve
Baseball - Baseball Park
Basketball - Bendat Basketball Centre
Cricket - WACA Ground
Cycling - Speed Dome
Hockey - Perth Hockey Stadium
Netball - Matthews Netball Centre
Soccer - State Football Centre
Softball - Mirrabooka Softball Centre
Tennis - State Tennis Centre
Volleyball - Mick Michael Park
Etc.

It could be argued that these facilities are on par with WAFL grounds, but Aussie Rules doesn’t have that sole state facility. Where funding can be directed into spectator comfort, media facilities and corporate facilities to host all the big footy games that Optus Stadium is just too large for, especially if the capacity gets expanded to 70,000.

A state footy facility could host:

• 10 x AFLW games;
• 2 x AFL preseason games;
• 6 x WAFL finals;
• 4 x WAFLW finals;
• WAFL vs other states;
• U18’s vs other states;
• U16’s vs other states;
• Football carnivals (masters etc);
• Trainings for state teams;
• Trainings for visiting AFL and AFLW teams;
• Even host AFL games (with a restricted crowd attendance) if Optus Stadium is out of action during the season.

Something with a total capacity of 25,000:

• 10,000 seat stand;
• great media facilities;
• lots of corporate boxes;
• grass banks around the rest of the field to reduce operating costs;
• lights for broadcasts;
• a second training field;
• indoor training spaces;
• office space for WAFC;
• near pubs;
• near good public transport;

It would be great to be co-located with a WAFL club to really maximise usage.

If the WAFC Admin are in temp offices -How temp. Where are they planned to end up. Not a good look and reflects on their lack of clout in this still small town called Perth. They are looking after supposedly the major sports code in WA.
Good article by the way which brings up many relevant points.

 

[Ausbenito]

It won't be the WACA as they are still playing Shield cricket well into March.

And FWIW, Basso Council and Swans are currently working on a development plan to upgrade a lot of the facilities at Bassendean Oval. It could have been done years ago but the Council got into bed with Landcorp, who came up with a plan that pissed off just about everyone.

Starting to think this development is going the same way as Belmont Park and may never get off the ground?
Where is it at any progress?

 

[big_e]

Starting to think this development is going the same way as Belmont Park and may never get off the ground?
Where is it at any progress?

Basso Council loves consultations and plans.

Actually doing things? Not so much.

 

[Ausbenito]

The success of the WAFL grand final at Leederville has me thinking how it can be improved further it would probably require one of the teams to relocate. After looking at the Perth infill plan massive further growth is plannned for the Wanneroo corridor could a WAFL standard ground and facilities be developed somewhere in the area and would Subiaco look at moving there to free up space at Leederville?
Am thinking Kingsley or Kingsway areas rather than Yanchep too far for most.

 

[RedV3x]

Am thinking Kingsley or Kingsway areas rather than Yanchep too far for most.

Kingsway has a huge sports precinct and the home of a once powerful Sunday league club.
Plenty of room and parking but off the railway line.
Armadale is crying out for WAFL facilities.

 

[Ausbenito]

Kingsway has a huge sports precinct and the home of a once powerful Sunday league club.
Plenty of room and parking but off the railway line.
Armadale is crying out for WAFL facilities.

I think the Armadale Gosnells area has missed the boat is a fairly senior area now Byford hopefully provides some future WAFL players not sure on who those kids would feed into amateur club wise needs to be developed in future.
Often think they would be better being a part of the Peel league hasnt been a great success player wise or support wise for Perth?
They would have been able to keep their local clubs playing such as they were in the Sunday Football League many years ago dont seem to be thriving in the amateurs?
Kingsway would seem a great option for a WAFL club.

 

[big_e]

I think the Armadale Gosnells area has missed the boat is a fairly senior area now Byford hopefully provides some future WAFL players not sure on who those kids would feed into amateur club wise needs to be developed in future.
Often think they would be better being a part of the Peel league hasnt been a great success player wise or support wise for Perth?
They would have been able to keep their local clubs playing such as they were in the Sunday Football League many years ago dont seem to be thriving in the amateurs?
Kingsway would seem a great option for a WAFL club.

There's an alternate universe in which Perth moves to somewhere around Gosnells and makes a killing from the growth around Canning Vale in the last 25-odd years.

 

[RedV3x]

I think the Armadale Gosnells area has missed the boat

Armadale missed the boat by not having a WAFL team then with the demise of the Sunday league which actually ran the Peel League for yonks.
Armadale is a true historic centre with a gtrain line and now much development especially with the new railway loop.

Kingsway would seem a great option for a WAFL club.

Subiaco has played there, but a ground at Ellenbrook next to the railway has more potential.
For subiaco, building a ground at Karrinyup over the old tip makes a lot of sense.

 

[Rob]

There's an alternate universe in which Perth moves to somewhere around Gosnells and makes a killing from the growth around Canning Vale in the last 25-odd years.

The problem is that these clubs are small suburban enterprises now with a local membership base. To get them to move is impossible.
West Perth moved to Joondalup decades ago and even now their members won't accept it

You're right though, Perth should have moved South East, East Fremantle further south and Subiaco to the North. You know it's getting ridiculous when Subiaco isn't even in the Subiaco zone.

 

[kranger]

For subiaco, building a ground at Karrinyup over the old tip makes a lot of sense.

Do you mean the old tip next to Stirling train station? Next to the Mitchell Freeway interchange with Cedric Street?

 

[RedV3x]

Do you mean the old tip next to Stirling train station? Next to the Mitchell Freeway interchange with Cedric Street?

Yes. I believe there was discussion about this but presumably went nowhwere.

 

[kranger]

For subiaco, building a ground at Karrinyup over the old tip makes a lot of sense.

It would put Subiaco into their catchment area. And would also put a WAFL standard ground in that north west area of Perth. And could be a good catalyst to finally see other developments go up around their.

 

[kranger]

The success of the WAFL grand final at Leederville has me thinking how it can be improved further it would probably require one of the teams to relocate. After looking at the Perth infill plan massive further growth is plannned for the Wanneroo corridor could a WAFL standard ground and facilities be developed somewhere in the area and would Subiaco look at moving there to free up space at Leederville?
Am thinking Kingsley or Kingsway areas rather than Yanchep too far for most.

There's an alternate universe in which Perth moves to somewhere around Gosnells and makes a killing from the growth around Canning Vale in the last 25-odd years.

Here is a possibility, to spread the WAFL teams more evenly across Perth, but still near train stations.

• Subiaco up to Carine Open Space (Warwick Train Station)
• Perth down to Westfield Cannington (Cannington Train Station)
• East Fremantle down to Cockburn Arc (Cockburn Train Station)
• Claremont down to Rockingham Shops (Rockingham Train Station)

These circles show each club home ground with a 7.5km radius.



Zoomed in by cutting out Perl.

 

[RedV3x]

Here is a possibility, to spread the WAFL teams more evenly across Perth, but still near train stations.

• Subiaco up to Carine Open Space (Warwick Train Station)

Carine Open Space is an open space and quite a walk from a train station.

• Perth down to Westfield Cannington (Cannington Train Station)

Westfield Cannington is a shopping mall.

• East Fremantle down to Cockburn Arc (Cockburn Train Station)

Whatever happened to Peel ?

• Claremont down to Rockingham Shops (Rockingham Train Station)

Claremont have a rejuvenated ground opposite a train station in the Claremont zone!!!

 

[kranger]

Can Hands Oval in Bunbury be the back up AFL Stadium in WA?

Proposed redevelopment lodged to the City of Bunbury, who are also the property owner.

Proposed Hands Oval Stadium Redevelopment - City of Bunbury

The City of Bunbury has received a development application for the proposed Hands Oval Stadium Redevelopment.

bunbury.wa.gov.au

 

[Rob]

Bunbury should really have a Ballarat style ground given its roughly the same size and distance from the capital.

The problem is that Perth doesn't have any broke ass teams that are looking to move low drawing games, so the result is that Ballarat gets AFL games and Bunbury gets none.

 

[kranger]

Here is the link to the one year old business plan to redevelop Fremantle Oval and some concept images. Home of the Fremantle Dockers AFLW team and South Fremantle Bulldogs in the WAFL. Former training ground for Dockers men’s.

It realigns the field closer to the historical Victoria Stand, and makes it the size of Perth Stadium and Lathlain Oval (WCE AFL training ground, WCE AFLW home ground and Perth Demons WAFL home ground).

There is new seating in the new clubhouse, refurbished seating in the Victoria Stand, concrete terracing and grassed hills so something for everyone’s preference.

The capacity is expected to be:
7,500 easily seated (including on grass); or
10,000 if some areas are used for standing; or
12,500 by squishing people in.

Basement parking under the new club rooms.

https://www.fremantle.wa.gov.au/sites/default/files/Attachment%201%20-Business%20Plan%20Oval%20July%202022.pdf

 

[Falconista]

Here is the link to the one year old business plan to redevelop Fremantle Oval and some concept images. Home of the Fremantle Dockers AFLW team and South Fremantle Bulldogs in the WAFL. Former training ground for Dockers men’s.

It realigns the field closer to the historical Victoria Stand, and makes it the size of Perth Stadium and Lathlain Oval (WCE AFL training ground, WCE AFLW home ground and Perth Demons WAFL home ground).

There is new seating in the new clubhouse, refurbished seating in the Victoria Stand, concrete terracing and grassed hills so something for everyone’s preference.

The capacity is expected to be:
7,500 easily seated (including on grass); or
10,000 if some areas are used for standing; or
12,500 by squishing people in.

Basement parking under the new club rooms.

https://www.fremantle.wa.gov.au/sites/default/files/Attachment%201%20-Business%20Plan%20Oval%20July%202022.pdf

View attachment 1652246

View attachment 1652247

View attachment 1652248

View attachment 1652251

View attachment 1652252

View attachment 1652254

View attachment 1652255

View attachment 1652257

View attachment 1652260

View attachment 1652261

View attachment 1652262

View attachment 1652263

View attachment 1652264

View attachment 1652266

View attachment 1652268

View attachment 1652269

Don't mind it.
Freo Oval is a charming ground that is a little run down. The changes sound good. Wondering if they should look to increase capacity to 15-18k to enhance their case as a WAFL gf venue...?

 

[Kwality]

Where is the statue of John Gerovich & the mark?

The mark:

John Gerovich takes a mark over Ray French in the preliminary final in 1956. Credit: Maurie Hammond/The West Australian

The Statue.

 

[kranger]

The Dockers moved out of Fremantle Oval down to Cockburn. East Freo Oval is currently getting upgraded. The City of Fremantle and trying to get Fremantle Oval upgraded which is still home to South Fremantle trainings and games, and the Dockers AFLW games.

Does anyone else think the Dockers, South Freo and East Freo missed out on an opportunity to build a great shared facility at Fremantle Park. Two ovals, one for games/training and one for training like Lathlain Park.

With WAFL and WAFLW games for two clubs and AFLW and AFL pre-season games for the Dockers, it provides a lot of content for the state government to dedicate funding for good spectator facilities. It may have even been good enough to host Gather Round games.

Let the local cricket club move to East Freo Oval, and the tennis/lawn bowls club move to Fremantle Oval or a new facility at the Port.


Oh well, what could have been.