Making space for oval debate
AFLQ powerbrokers have met the Queensland Government to address concerns over decreasing green space in what is considered by the governing body as one of the biggest issues facing the game.
The Gold Coast is at the heart of a looming crisis for the AFL as infrastructure struggles to keep up with the rapid growth of the game.
Suns chairman Tony Cochrane told the Bulletin last month 20 new ovals needed to be created in the next five years to keep up with the increase in participants.
It was also revealed the Burleigh Bombers were suffering from increased concussion problems because their solitary oval has become too hard underfoot due to the level of traffic playing on it.
AFLQ chief Dean Warren said finding a solution to the problem was a high priority for the code on the Gold Coast and across the state.
“It’s one of our biggest issues and barriers to our growth,” Warren said.
“The ability to continue to grow and find green space is a major challenge for us.
“We have got a number of clubs significantly over capacity.”
The booming population on the Gold Coast and fact it is already high density means green space for ovals will only become harder.
It has meant the AFLQ has put enormous focus on obtaining tenure agreements with schools with existing fields, oval or rectangular, along with improving lighting infrastructure to enable more flexible game times and building synthetic grounds to reduce maintenance costs.
Warren also said it was vital AFLQ were proactive and worked with councils to ensure green space was worked into development plans in new areas like the northern Gold Coast.
Warren said the AFLQ met Minister for Sport Mick de Brenni to try to get a commitment from the State Government to help provide funds – via its Activate! Queensland initiative – for infrastructure like goalposts at schools which will be vital in the future.