Persistence Pays Off: Oakleigh Cannons Celebrate $14.7m Upgrade at Jack Edwards Reserve

Avatar
Image Credit: Oakleigh Cannons

Oakleigh Cannons officially unveiled their new $14.7 million grandstand and facilities at Jack Edwards Reserve after years of planning and development.

It’s an exciting time for the Cannons who have been yearning for this project for over 25 years, when it was just a long-shot concept and a dream.

Club President Stan Papayianneris and Chairman Kon Kavalakis spearheaded the deal and were the masterminds behind eventually securing the mega project that will play a big part in the club’s future of player development.

Grandstand unveiling. Image Credit: Oakleigh Cannons

Steve Dimopoulos, the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, and a member for Oakleigh spoke with great passion about getting this project over the line after many important conversations.

“I feel very emotional because it is a life’s work for a lot of people and it’s for a whole community but this has happened because of the leadership of senior Greek-Australians in Melbourne, it’s their legacy.” Dimopoulos said to club media.

“This is a legacy and it’s an overused word but this is absolutely a legacy and what I mean by that is; it secures the future of hundreds of thousands of kids to play here [Jack Edwards Reserve] for the next 50 years. That is legacy.

“The people with bold ideas, the ones who make it versus the ones who don’t make it, the missing ingredient is persistence and this club, especially Kon Kavalakis, had persistence.

“It wasn’t about them; it was about the kids and yes I did have doubts at one point but it all worked out.”

The grandstand was first used in August for their remaining NPL fixtures including the finals match against Preston Lions which garnered a big crowd. A taste of what is to come in 2026 and beyond.

For the foreseeable future, the new developments at Jack Edwards Reserve will serve well for the growth of the club and Victorian football whilst also playing a big part in the club’s top-tier youth system, with fantastic facilities aiding their development.

Kids on the pitch during the day. Image Credit: Oakleigh Cannons

Oakleigh Cannons Club President Stan Papayianneris was a major player in this project and spoke about its importance for the stature of the club.

“This is a culmination of a lot of work over many years and a big plus for the club, something we’ve dreamed about. This is the fruition of what is a dream and it’s an amazing facility for our children.” he said to club media.

“This stadium has elevated the stature of the club and the clubs ability to provide the infrastructure necessary for the development of our children in an environment that is magnificent, it’s safe and will be here for a few generations.”

The new $14.7 million development represents a defining moment for Oakleigh Cannons, rewarding decades of persistence and community effort.

It stands as a testament to the club’s vision and the vital support of local councils and the Victorian Government in driving football infrastructure forward.

Previous ArticleNext Article

Football SA commits to quality with TigerTurf partnership

Avatar
Image credit: Bokeh Blur Background / Shutterstock.com

An industry leader in synthetic pitches and sports surface technology, TigerTurf will now team up with Football SA as a Preferred Supplier of Synthetic Pitches.

Supporting growth on and off the pitch

A key issue facing many clubs and districts across Australia’s football landscape is facility access.

Sharing venues and pitches with other winter sports restricts not just playing time, but pitch quality when access becomes available.

But with TigerTurf’s expertise, built over the course of 40 years in the industry, footballers in South Australia will now see the installation of quality and durable synthetic pitches designed to support their footballing journey.

“Football continues to experience strong and sustained growth across South Australia, and with that growth comes an increasing need for high-quality, sustainable and accessible facilities,” explained Football SA Chief Executive Officer, Michael Carter.

“Our role at Football SA is to support clubs not only on the field, but also in ensuring they have the infrastructure required to grow their communities and deliver football for generations to come.”

Furthermore, TigerTurf Australia General Manager, Travis Knight, also commented on the organisation’s mission to players and people across communities in South Australia.

“At TigerTurf, we believe everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy safe, reliable and high-quality spaces to play,” Knight said via press release.

“This partnership allows us to work alongside Football SA to create inclusive facilities that encourage more people to participate, stay active and feel part of the football community.”

 

Responding to participation

Football continues to be Australia’s most participated team sport. According to Football Australia, roughly 1.93 million people enjoy the beautiful game within clubs, schools, social settings and futsal.

In South Australia alone, 2024 saw total participation reach 126,934, emphasising the need for widespread facility access.

Thus, TigerTurf’s role in the industry goes far beyond pitch installation. Through its partnership with South Australia, they are ensuring current players can continue to develop as players, while also building strong foundations for future generations.

All-year-round access, reductions in weather cancellations, and long-term planning opportunities mean that synthetic pitches are a valuable investment.

And, partnered with the industry knowledge of TigerTurf, Football SA can expect this investment to return ten-fold in the form of participation, growth and community spirit.

Football NSW celebrates volunteers across football community

Avatar
Image credit: PeopleImages / Shutterstock.com

As National Volunteer Week gets underway from 18-24 May, Football NSW are championing the people who dedicate their time and efforts to supporting all across the football landscape.

Essential to sports

According to the Federal Government’s Australian Sports Commission, there are roughly 2.9 million Australians per year who give their free time and energy to sports across the country.

They are critical to the continued growth and culture of sports nationwide, especially within the football community.

Which is why, during National Volunteer Week, it is so important to recognise the contributions made by the people who uphold the game we love week-in week-out.

Football NSW CEO, John Tsatsimas, commended volunteers in New South Wales and highlighted the vital role they play in the sport across the state.

“Football in New South Wales simply does not exist without volunteers,” Tstatsimas stated via press release.

“They are the heartbeat of our clubs and competitions, and their contribution is felt in every match played across the state each weekend.”

“We are incredibly grateful for the time, passion and dedication they bring to the game.”

 

Supporting operations behind-the-scenes

Volunteers, despite their fundamental role in the grassroots game, often go unseen in the chaos and excitement of a matchday.

But, as Football NSW emphasises, their responsibilities and contributions are wide-ranging leading up to fixtures to ensure players and supporters alike experience the best of grassroots football.

“Week in, week out, these dedicated individuals ensure football continues to thrive across the state, coaching junior teams, refereeing matches, managing squads, running canteens, preparing fields, coordinating fixtures and supporting clubs in countless behind-the-scenes roles,” Football NSW said via press release.

So this week serves as an important period to recognise the backbone of local football communities not only in New South Wales, but all states across the nation.

Most Popular Topics

Editor Picks

Send this to a friend