Pittwater RSL is already reaping the rewards of the NSW Football Legacy Fund as their latest project, an upgraded field lighting system, shines brilliantly in action at Kitchener Park.
Northern Beaches Council secured the maximum contribution of $150,000 in Round 1 of the NSW Football Legacy Fund earlier this year. Council wasted no time in bringing to life the state-of-the-art LED lighting system, boasting a minimum capacity of 100 Lux and lighting up all the fields at Kitchener Park.
The project included the installation of six new lighting towers with sustainable LED lamps. The club can now conduct night training sessions within a secure environment and even host night games, a privilege absent for numerous years.
Ben Collock, President of Pittwater RSL FC, was ecstatic that night games can now be hosted.
“We can now play night games for the first time in this club’s history. The first night game we played was the Women’s Premier League, which had a great attendance and was really exciting.”
The modern lighting introduced at Kitchener Park brings a multitude of benefits. Among these is the enhanced safety it provides to all individuals, ensuring their welfare during night activities. Additionally, the extended operating hours enable teams to conduct training sessions later into the evening, which greatly boosts the capacity at Kitchener Park.
Boasting a community of over 1,200 football enthusiasts, Pittwater RSL FC maintains an impressive female participation rate, consisting of more than 35% of total registrations. As the anticipations for growth after the FIFA Women’s World Cup run high, the club eagerly welcomes the surge, with the lighting initiative being a cornerstone of their readiness to cater to this anticipated influx.
Aligned with the objectives outlined in the NSW Football Infrastructure Strategy, this project specifically addresses the increase of existing venue capacity, as well as the anticipation of future growth and demand.
“The lighting upgrade at Kitchener Park has already proven to be an invaluable asset for Pittwater RSL FC,” said NSW Legacy Facilities and Grants Officer, James Spanoudakis.
“The new lights will amplify the club’s capacity by an additional 3-4 sessions per night and allow night games in the largest football association in NSW. The lighting upgrade will provide female footballers with extended opportunities to relish the sport alongside their friends and will inspire their engagement with the game for years to come.”
By Mark Stavroulakis (Football NSW)
