NSFA has received $150,000 through the NSW Government’s Asian Cup Legacy Fund for the conversion of Norman Griffiths Oval (or NG as it’s affectionately known) into a synthetic field.
Special thanks to the Minister for Sport Stuart Ayres for identifying the Norman Griffiths project as a worthy recipient, as well as Alister Henskens, State MP for Ku-ring-gai, for his continued support of football in the area and for acting as a reference throughout the process. The Facilities Unit at Football NSW has also provided ongoing support and guidance with this project.
Receiving this grant is credit to the extensive collaboration between NSFA, West Pymble FC and Ku-ring-gai Council over many years, according to NSFA Facilities Manager Paul Orgad.
“It really is evidence that a collective approach is the best way forward.”
“West Pymble President Kevin Johnson and I have worked closely to ensure we capitalise on the opportunity to install a synthetic field at NG. Through hard work and a little bit of luck we now have the funds to enable this conversion to proceed, otherwise the field would have only received a natural turf upgrade.”
The synthetic field at Norman Griffiths has been a long-term objective for the Association and was previously identified in NSFA’s 2014 Strategic Facilities Plan. The start date for construction is currently unknown.
“Council are currently finalising the field design and once these designs are complete Council will consult with stakeholders before commencing the tender process. Our goal is to have construction start ASAP, but the most important thing is that we get the details right at the beginning.”
Orgad believes NSFA is well placed to continue developing facilities across the region through excellent relationships with all levels of government and with support from the NSFA Board.
“NG is the only full-sized field in the suburb and as it’s a football specific venue we’re delighted it will be available to our players and the community in the near future. It is one step closer to our goal of having ten synthetic fields in the area by 2021.”