THE Port Adelaide Football Club has congratulated the Whyalla City Council after its redevelopment of Bennett Oval was recognised by the AFL, being named the state winner of the AFL Ken Gannon Community Football Facilities Award.

The awards recognise best-practise facility development across the country looking at the impact a project has for the local community.

To be recognised, a project must be consistent with the AFL’s aim of providing well-positioned, welcoming, fit-for-purpose football facilities that support the growth of the game.

State and Territory football bodies nominate facilities and a national winner is also determined.

Bennett Oval’s $3.837million upgrade brought the facility up to AFL standard, enabling Port Adelaide to host the Western Bulldogs at the venue in a pre-season game in 2020.

It had been slated to host another pre-season game in 2021, before the AFL cancelled the fixture to limit travel during the pandemic.

Port Adelaide Football Club CEO Matthew Richardson congratulated the Whyalla City Council on the worthy recognition.

“We were fortunate to work closely with GFG Alliance and the Whyalla City Council and saw their extraordinary effort to fast track the redevelopment in preparation for our AAMI Community Series game against the Western Bulldogs in March 2020,” he said.

“We were honoured to be part of this event, and our players commented how good the playing surface and changeroom facilities were.  

“We were disappointed this year’s game was cancelled due to COVID travel restrictions, but look forward to returning to Bennett Oval at the next available opportunity to host another pre-season game.”

City of Whyalla Mayor Clare McLaughlin said while the aim of the upgrades wasn’t to win awards, the recognition provided validation that they were worthwhile investments in the community.

“To be named the best community football facility development in the state by the sport’s top code is amazing recognition for our city,” Mayor McLaughlin said.

“It’s a credit to our Elected Members and staff for having the vision to approve the project and the capability to deliver it; as well as our key supporters in the South Australian Government, SACA, SANFL, AFL, Port Adelaide and GFG Alliance.”

GFG alliance was instrumental in the AFL bringing its pre-season competition to Whyalla as the event formed a key platform of the major partnership with the Club. GFG’s commitment to the Whyalla area also saw the Club run its community camp in the region to support local schools and hospitals with player visits and delivery of educational programs.

Whyalla Football League President Jack Velthuizen said the upgrade had provided a huge boost to local football.

“These facilities are first class, so we’re really pleased with how they turned out and how quickly council was able to undertake the upgrade,” he said.

The AFL's National Venues and Community Facilities Manager, Shayne Ward, said the project was “a remarkable example of best practise”.

“A huge success of this project was the collaboration of all stakeholders involved to ensure all aspects of the precinct could operate to its full capacity and potential, proving exactly why it was South Australia’s State Winner,” he said.