AFL NSW/ACT Statement

AFL NSW/ACT would like to thank Leichhardt Council for its decision to grant access to the Glover Street sporting grounds in Lilyfield for AFL activity on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, and Sunday mornings.

We would also like to re-iterate that at no point in the application process did we request access to Birchgrove Oval, and we are in full support of the council’s proposed plan to allocate the space to a number of local sporting clubs and organisations.

AFL NSW/ACT General Manager Tom Harley said he was pleased with the council’s decision to allow AFL to be played in the Leichhardt LGA alongside the existing sports in the community.

“The Leichhardt Council has done a commendable job in their efforts to provide equitable access to their limited green space,” he said.

“We greatly respect the history of other sporting codes in the area, but we think it is vital to promote diversity in the sporting options made available to the community.

“AFL is a growing sport in Sydney, and we’re pleased to be able to provide a local offering for the thousands of players, fans and members in the Leichhardt LGA.

“We greatly appreciate the council’s support during the application process, and we are delighted with the outcome tonight.”

AFL NSW/ACT would like to thank the Leichhardt Council for their commitment to providing new, and upgrading existing, sporting and recreation facilities to their constituents, and for their consideration of our application to access green space in their LGA.

AFL NSW/ACT was one of 12 sporting clubs and bodies who responded to a call for expressions of interest from Leichhardt Council concerning the use of green space that had recently become available at the Glover Street and Balmain Road sites in Lilyfield.

Our proposal outlined plans to create a greater opportunity for AFL participation in the area, which had previously not had access to a local facility. Despite this, some 238 club participants are residents who are forced to play outside the Leichhardt LGA.

Additionally, there are over 536 school participants across five schools within the LGA that do not have a local AFL ground to play on; and thousands of residents of the area are members and attendees at AFL matches.

AFL NSW/ACT is committed to providing a variety of programs across all levels of the community, as part of a larger suite of sporting options available to the local population.

The opportunity to access new green space in the Leichhardt Council area will benefit a variety of community members, from the Balmain Dockers Women’s AFL Club right through to the youngest participants involved in Auskick.

Media Enquiries
Lindsay Clement-Meehan, Media and Communications Advisor
(P) 0402 129 849 (E) Lindsay.clement-meehan@aflnswact.com.au