Richmond Oval continues to grow as an important community sporting hub in Geelong’s south-eastern suburbs.<\/p>\n
I’m thrilled at the news that the East Geelong Football & Netball Club (EGFNC) has secured $250,000 through Sport and Recreation Victoria’s 2025\u201326 Local Sports Infrastructure Fund for a much-needed major lighting revamp.<\/p>\n
The City will contribute the required match funding to deliver this project, which will benefit Geelong City Cricket Club and SEDA College, which share these facilities.<\/p>\n
Founded in 1879, the Eagles have a long and proud history, and over the past decade the club has seen strong membership growth, particularly in women’s, girls and junior participation.<\/p>\n
With Geelong’s rapid population growth, it’s important that all our sporting clubs have modern facilities to meet increasing demand and continue to create a welcoming, safe and inclusive environment for everyone.<\/p>\n
That’s why we’ve allocated $1 million funding per annum for sports lighting projects from the council budget.<\/p>\n
We’re about to complete an audit of light readings across all lit playing surfaces in the City so that we can accurately prioritise lighting projects for the next year.<\/p>\n
The Richmond Oval project will replace metal-halide lighting with new energy-efficient LED floodlights, along with new poles and electrical upgrades.<\/p>\n
This will deliver 150-lux competition lighting, creating a safer, more flexible shared space for local families to enjoy evening sport and for general community use.<\/p>\n
These modern lights will transform the ground into a premier local destination, ensuring the oval remains active and vibrant well after sunset.<\/p>\n
For the EGFNC, this will create opportunities for more growth. It will enable the club to host night matches, expand junior and female training sessions and use the oval for community sport events.<\/p>\n
Importantly, it will create a pathway for junior girls into senior women’s sport, promoting greater equity for women and girls in sport.<\/p>\n
This investment builds on recent upgrades at Richmond Oval, including a second netball court, opened last year with $650,000 from the City of Greater Geelong and $250,000 from the Victorian government.<\/p>\n
These improvements were guided by the Richmond Oval Facility Development Plan, which identified the need for expanded capacity and modern infrastructure to support the club’s growing membership.<\/p>\n
Before these upgrades, the netball club was hiring courts at other venues just to meet demand.<\/p>\n
Today, they have the space and facilities needed to thrive and to continue welcoming more new members into the sport.<\/p>\n
Across all sporting codes, Richmond Oval is an inclusive, accessible and community-focused precinct for local sport and recreation.<\/p>\n
It’s a place that brings people together and breaks down social barriers, fostering a sense of belonging.<\/p>\n
That helps local kids build their confidence and resilience while learning how to be part of a team and, most importantly, building lifelong friendships.<\/p>\n
This project delivers sustainable, energy-efficient infrastructure, helps the local economy through planning, construction and activation, and will benefit the community for years to come.<\/p>\n
Congratulations to EGFNC on this latest funding success.<\/p>\n
Richmond Oval is a historical cornerstone of Geelong and I’m proud to see our community sporting facilities continue to grow alongside the people who use them.<\/p>\n
I can’t wait to celebrate alongside the local clubs, athletes and volunteers once these new lights are officially switched on.<\/p>\n
Cr Melissa Cadwell<\/p>\n
Cheetham ward, City of Greater Geelong<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Richmond Oval continues to grow as an important community sporting hub in Geelong’s south-eastern suburbs. I’m thrilled at the news that the East Geelong Football & Netball Club (EGFNC) has secured $250,000 through Sport and Recreation Victoria’s 2025\u201326 Local Sports Infrastructure Fund for a much-needed major lighting revamp. The City will contribute the required match […]<\/p>\n