Blackwood Football Club (BFC), located in the south eastern suburbs of Adelaide, has experienced a once in a generation growth in participation numbers due to the introduction of female football leagues in recent years.
BFC recognised an opportunity to upgrade their facilities to encourage greater participation and to provide changing facilities appropriate for both males and females, as well as participants from culturally and linguistic diverse backgrounds. The club successfully received funding via the Federal Government’s 2018-19 Community Sport Infrastructure program to support the project, as well as support from Mitcham Council and the South Australian National Football League (SANFL).
Through Ausco Modular’s partnership with SANFL, the club welcomed football’s first modular sporting facility in metropolitan Adelaide.
Ausco provided the 389m2 high-specification unisex changeroom facility which also includes a dedicated umpires’ changeroom, medical room and storage area. The facility complies with the AFL Preferred Facility Guidelines and features a sound-rated operable wall to provide further functionality of the changeroom space and cubicle showers for player privacy.
BFC were also able to utilise members with trade qualifications to complete the install of the building and allocate additional budget to upgrade features of the facility.
South Australian Premier Steven Marshall was on site when the buildings arrived at the club from Ausco’s local Adelaide-based manufacturing facility and he noted the need for upgraded sporting facilities at local clubs.
“We’re seeing a massive increase in the number of women playing football and cricket and our changerooms haven’t changed much,” said Mr Marshall.
“Importantly now, we have a new design pioneered here at Blackwood together with Ausco, for quick deployment across the state,” he added.
Club President, Kris Winchester, said the benefit of the new facilities is that they will allow the club to unite post-games.
“It could be a really muddy day and when they’re finished they have the opportunity to go into the changerooms and then stay at the club for presentations, so we avoid that 50/50 decision of coming back to the club.”
"Without hesitation we recommend Ausco for the construction of modular changerooms. Well done to the Ausco team on delivering an exceptional project.”
Nick Wilmshurst, Blackwood Football Club
Learn more about the benefits of modular sporting facilities at ausco.com.au/sports-facilities.
