A new regional sports facility in Munno Para is set to become the home of one of Playford’s most successful soccer clubs, offering a premier venue that will drive growth, attract new talent, and enhance competition for both current and future players.
Elizabeth Grove Soccer Club has been chosen as the anchor tenant of the Munno Para Sportsground, following a competitive Expression of Interest (EOI) process.
The club, known for its recent success, including its entry into Football SA’s Men’s State League 2, will relocate from its existing grounds at Dauntsey Reserve in Elizabeth North to the new site within the Playford Alive development.
The state-of-the-art facility will feature a FIFA-quality synthetic pitch, a natural grass pitch, six universally accessible changerooms, a multipurpose function room, a semi-commercial kitchen and bar, canteen, office space, and additional storage.
Designed to meet National Premier League Football SA standards, the facility will support higher-level participation and host major competitions, while also expanding opportunities for grassroots soccer.
Construction of the first pitch and clubrooms is scheduled to begin in mid-2025, subject to funding, with completion targeted for the 2027 soccer season.
Future phases of development will include a third pitch, public open spaces, playgrounds, and walking trails.
The new facility aligns with the Council’s commitment to encouraging community participation in sports, particularly as demand for soccer facilities continues to rise in northern Adelaide’s rapidly growing areas.
There is especially strong demand for female soccer participation, with Elizabeth Grove Soccer Club playing a leading role in promoting women’s soccer across all levels of competition.
With 420 members, the club boasts the highest female participation in the region, and membership is expected to grow to 520 by 2026. Established over 60 years ago, the club is a cornerstone of soccer in northern Adelaide.
Michael Carter, Football SA CEO, discussed the great news for Elizabeth Grove Soccer Club.
“The Elizabeth Grove Soccer Club offer a complete participation opportunity for men, boys, women and girls. Demand for the code in the north will be supported by their relocation to the Munno Para Facility which will be purpose built for football,” he said in a statement.
Scott Hockenhull, Secretary, Elizabeth Grove Soccer Club, spoke highly of the development for his club.
“One of the most exciting aspects of this move is the access to modern, purpose-built change rooms that are suitable for women’s and girls’ participation—a significant growth area for our club over the past few years,” Hockenhull said in a statement.
“This new space allows us to continue expanding all our teams, offering them the support and facilities they deserve as we build stronger pathways from junior levels to senior competitions.”
This news is fantastic for the Elizabeth Grove Soccer Club and the North Adelaide region who get to create a high level sports facility for the grassroots system.
With the rapid rise across both boys and girls football recently, this provides Football South Australia with a perfect opportunity to utilise a facility for the sole purpose of development, similar to the Home of the Matildas setup in Bundoora.
