The upgrades done to TIO Oval 2 have been recognised as an outstanding community football development, and the project has been duly awarded a 2019 Ken Gannon Community Football Facilities Award.
The four dual-gender player change rooms along with the umpire change room, air-conditioned timekeeper's and media rooms, kiosk/bar and ticket box were part of the TIO Oval 2 redevelopment that was officially opened in December last year.
A total of $1.9 million was invested thanks to the Northern Territory Government (NTG) and with support of the AFL through the Australian Football Facilities Fund ($200,000).
Since being used by the NTFL, the change rooms have already improved access for all players, particularly females, and allow for a faster changeover from game to game, regardless of the grade or gender of the teams scheduled.
In addition, the kiosk/bar, ticket booth and other facilities will allow clubs to adopt the facility as their own home ground in future years.
Shayne Ward, the AFL's National Venues and Community Facilities Manager, explained the purpose of the Ken Gannon Award and why the TIO Oval 2 project was a fitting winner.
"The new AFL Ken Gannon Community Football Facilities Awards annually recognise best practise in community football facility development across Australia, along with the people, clubs and other stakeholders driving our best projects.
"In a decorated career across many areas of the code, Ken spent much of his last decade of his career developing the AFL’s interest and partnerships in the community facilities space, leading outcomes related to over 800 community football facility projects in that period.
"The TIO Oval 2 project is a remarkable example of best practise that aligns very strongly to the AFL’s aim of providing well-positioned, welcoming, fit for purpose football facilities that support our growing game’s strategic priorities," he said.
The Hon Kate Worden, Minister for Sport, said she was proud of the NTG investment in the project.
“Territorians deserve the best sporting facilities, and I am proud of our investment in the new facility at TIO Oval 2, which provides AFLNT with more capacity to grow the game, with a particular focus on women and girls, juniors and umpires.
“Winning the Ken Gannon Award is great recognition and reward for our vision and commitment to delivering high-quality sporting infrastructure for Territorians," she said.
Those keen to check out the new facilities are encouraged to do so as the 2020/21 TIO NTFL action continues most weekends until mid-March.