Playford Alive laying the ground for the next Matilda or Socceroo
Construction has begun on a new regional sports complex at Munno Para, with Renewal SA contributing more than $3.3 million, as well as land, to help deliver the $32.65 million facility for the Playford community.
Renewal SA provided the 10-hectare parcel of land within the Playford Alive development to the City of Playford for the project, with the land transfer completed in April 2025.
Renewal SA also chipped in $2.1 million in funding, with a further $1.2 million to be delivered through the Playford Alive Initiatives Fund (PAIF).
The new Munno Parra Sports Ground sits at the heart of the Playford Alive precinct, located between the recent Newton Boulevard Extension and Mark Oliphant College.
It was designed to serve not only the growing Playford Alive community but the wider northern suburbs.
“The facility reflects Renewal SA's commitment to building more than homes, creating the open spaces, infrastructure and community assets that make a neighbourhood thrive,” said Peter Gatsios, Renewal SA’s Executive Director of Residential Project Delivery and Assets, overseeing Playford Alive.
He said the project was a proud milestone for the agency and the broader community.
"Playford Alive is about creating complete communities, not just delivering housing.
“Seeing a facility like this take shape over the journey, one that will bring people together through sport and inspire the next generation of players, is exactly what this development is all about.
"The northern suburbs have a rich sporting culture and this complex will only strengthen that. We look forward to seeing the community make it their own."
Stage 2 construction is now underway, following the completion of a shared car park and kiss-and-drop zone at Mark Oliphant College last year.
This next stage will deliver a FIFA quality synthetic football (soccer) pitch, a natural turf oval, six universally designed changerooms and clubrooms, a multipurpose function room, a semi-commercial kitchen and bar.
This facility will fully comply with National Premier League standards for Football SA.
The new sports facility is also set to become home to one of Playford’s most prominent soccer clubs, providing a premier venue that will foster growth, attract new talent and enhance competition for both existing and future players.
Mr Gatsios said the northern suburbs have long produced outstanding football talent at state and national level and the new Munno Para hub could be where the next generation of Matildas and Socceroos find their feet.
The Elizabeth Grove Soccer Club has been selected as the anchor club of the Munno Para Sportsground, following a competitive Expression of Interest (EOI) process in 2024.
One of the area's longest-established clubs with more than 60 years of history, Elizabeth Grove has the highest female participation of any club in the region and its values align closely with the South Australian Government's Power of Her program which has contributed $750,000 to the construction.
‘The Peckers’ have also recently been accepted into Football SA’s Men’s State League 2 and will move from its current location at Dauntsey Reserve in Elizabeth North to the new site within the Playford Alive development once complete.
City of Playford Mayor Glenn Docherty said the facility would make a lasting difference for the community.
"These modern sporting facilities assist and inspire the next generation of players to reach their full potential."
Football SA CEO Michael Carter said the sportsgrounds would cement its place as one of the state's premier football facilities.
"The facility design is contemporary and practical and will be a leading purpose-built football facility in the state. The venue will not only provide a home for the club but will offer a huge opportunity for students at Mark Oliphant College to participate in football,” Mr Carter said.
A shared use arrangement with Mark Oliphant College will ensure the sportsgrounds are accessible to students and the wider community when not in use by the club.
Future stages will add a third pitch, secondary car park, playgrounds and community open spaces, with the full development expected to be complete by late 2027 or early 2028.
Image: render sourced from the City of Playford.