Female Next Generation Academy members Jemma Whittington-Charity, Lauren Young, Chloe Whittington-Charity, and coach Naomi Maidment at Alberton Oval.

Port Adelaide welcomes today’s $1.5 million funding announcement from the Office for Recreation and Sport as part of the club’s Alberton Oval precinct redevelopment.

The funding will underpin the first phase of the $3.495 million upgrade of the changerooms and facilities under the Williams Family Stand to accommodate Port Adelaide’s AFLW programs.

Port Adelaide chief executive Matthew Richardson thanked the Office of Recreation and Sport and said it’s a significant step for the Alberton precinct redevelopment.

“We thank the Office for Recreation and Sport on this funding announcement and welcome the opportunity to work with the State government on this exciting project for Port Adelaide and also importantly the local community,” said Mr Richardson.

“This funding allows us to get started on the upgrade of Alberton Oval which is an important component in our AFLW licence submission. The funding will be used directly to undertake a significant upgrade of the changerooms and facilities under the Fos Williams Family stand, providing first-class facilities for the next generation of South Australian female athletes, including our AFLW players and AFLW next generation academy players.

 “This project is a great example of high performance and community sport coming together to provide significant growth opportunities for women’s sport in South Australia.

 “It marks the next step in realising our vision of transforming the Alberton Oval precinct into a world-class community sports complex, which includes hosting future AFLW games at Alberton Oval, but also as a hub for women’s football in the western suburbs.”