Sturt Football Club

City of Unley investigation in to a permanent perimeter fence at Unley Oval. The Club supports this. Community Consultation closes Monday 29 July. Have your Say, NOW! 🔗 https://lnkd.in/g_EWnkaM

Your feedback is crucial – Have your say now! Join the conversation about a permanent perimeter fence at Unley Oval by attending a drop-in session at the oval: - Wednesday 24 July, 10:00am - 12:00pm - Thursday 25 July, 4:30pm – 6:30pm - Sunday 28 July, 10:00am – 12:00pm OR by completing our online survey at https://lnkd.in/g_EWnkaM before 5pm, Monday 29 July. For more information, visit https://lnkd.in/gGAzwabk

Sturt Football Club Wins SEAChanger Award for Environmental Leadership We are thrilled to share the exciting news that Sturt Football Club has been recognised by the Sports Environment Alliance (SEA) at this year’s #SEAChanger Awards for our outstanding environmental and climate leadership. The #SEAChanger Awards celebrate individuals, sporting organizations, sports clubs, venues, and facilities that have demonstrated exemplary environmental stewardship in areas such as water, energy, materials, biodiversity, and engagement and education over the past two years. This year’s awards featured three categories: SEAChanger - SEA Member, SEAChanger - Non-Member, and SEAChanger – Individual Leadership. Finalists were selected based on project innovation, impact, and engagement. And the Winners Are: SEAChanger – SEA Member Tennis Australia for Maximum Play, Minimum Footprint at AO24 Tennis Australia’s efforts included: Collecting over 890,000 beverage containers for CDS-Vic recycling Donating more than 2.4 tonnes of kitchen organics to OzHarvest Utilizing over 70,000 reusable plates and bowls Saving approximately 90,000 single-use plastic bottles with refill water bottles and points Implementing a 100% renewable energy partnership Returning the successful Trash Talkers program to help fans properly dispose of waste SEAChanger – Non-Member Sturt Football Club for its Double Blues Go Green initiative Our Double Blues Go Green initiative was born out of the need to address the environmental impact of match-day operations. Recognising the significant waste generated during home games, we implemented a comprehensive waste management strategy that has successfully diverted over 97% of materials from landfill. SEAChanger – Individual Leadership Award Alexia Morgan from Belgravia Leisure for her sustainability leadership and vision Alexia Morgan has led sustainability efforts at Belgravia Health and Leisure Group since 2019, engaging over 50 individuals across all sites in sustainability initiatives. She has spearheaded the creation of Australia's first carbon-neutral leisure centre and the elimination of plastic waste at their facilities. Her leadership and vision have set a benchmark for the industry. In congratulating the winners, Jan Fitzgerald, CEO of Sports Environment Alliance, remarked, “The quality of nominations was outstanding, showcasing a clear commitment to environmental stewardship. The selected winners demonstrated remarkable leadership in their categories, setting a high standard for all.” We are incredibly proud of this recognition and remain committed to our sustainability journey. We invite sports clubs, organisations, and individuals passionate about protecting our places to play to join the Sports Environment Alliance and collaborate on these vital efforts. For more information, visit Sports Environment Alliance. Go Double Blues!

Today we headed to Bertram Hawker Kindergarten to host another First Kick session. We had a lot of fun learning together about the game of football and practiced some skills. All the kids involved receive a Sturt drawstring bag packed with goodies. Thank you Bertram for having us and we will be back tomorrow to host another session with the Tuesday group.

The multi-million dollar redevelopments of Unley Oval have earned the prestigious title of SA winner of the AFL’s Ken Gannon Community Football Facilities Award for 2023. Among the notable features of Stage II of the Unley Oval Grandstand Redevelopment Project are the new 320-person function room and Sturt Football Club administration offices. Additionally, the Trimmer Terrace premises during Stage I delivered state-of-the-art changerooms, complete with unisex facilities. The project also saw the installation of a new canteen and upgrades to the historic Harry J. McKay Stand, including refurbished away team changerooms, unisex showers, toilets, and new grandstand seating. Sturt Football Club and the City of Unley played pivotal roles in driving this redevelopment forward, with contributions from the Australian Football Facilities Fund and State, and Federal Governments. Sue Dewing, Chief Executive Officer of Sturt Football Club, expressed the Club’s pride in the new facilities, emphasising their alignment with the club's values of inclusivity, unity, community focus, innovation, and professionalism. She highlighted how these enhancements position the club as a destination for recruits and support the growth of various football programs, including female teams competing in the SANFLW. Mayor Michael Hewitson AM of the City of Unley conveyed the community's elation at Unley Oval's recognition with the Ken Gannon Community Football Facilities Award. He praised the vision, determination, and collective effort that went into the project, acknowledging the significant role of the Australian Football Facilities Fund in its success. The Ken Gannon Awards stand as a symbol of excellence in community football facility development, celebrating the contributions of individuals, clubs, and stakeholders driving exemplary projects nationwide.

A busy day in Unley for Sturt Football Club. We visited Unley Shopping Centre to host a handball target, player meet and greets, giveaways and Bluey stopped by. Later we headed to Unley Early Learning Centre for our First Kick program teaching kids about football, Sturt and how to get involved.

What a fantastic morning it was at the Sturt Football Club Morning Tea. With 120 of our dedicated members and supporters in attendance, the atmosphere was buzzing with excitement for the season ahead. We were honoured to have AFLW star Kiera Mueller and our latest recruit, Will Snelling, grace us with their presence. They engaged in a lively Q&A session, sharing insights and stories from their experiences in the game. The floor was then open for questions, sparking insightful conversations and connections within our community. Not to mention, our Football Manager Chris Trapp, and CEO Sue Dewing also took the stage, sharing their vision for the club and answering burning questions from the audience. Frittata, Easter Buns, and Chocolate eggs were served, accompanied by plenty of tea to fuel us up for the Easter weekend. Thank you to everyone who joined us and for your unwavering support. Here's to a successful season ahead. Go Sturt!

Dear Sturt Football Club Members and Supporters, Recently, the City of Unley requested an account of our contributions to the Unley Oval precinct in recent years, in response to a request from a local group of residents. We are proud to share that we have provided detailed records from our Leasehold Improvement & Unley Oval fixtures accounts, totalling an impressive $2,305,000. This figure excludes the estimated $200,000 earmarked for new interchange shelters currently under construction, benefiting not only our football club but also other sporting groups and recreational users. Additionally, our volunteer group, The Baggies, works tirelessly conducting maintenance tasks in or around the Club, totalling an estimated 11,500 hours of work. Their efforts enhance Unley Oval's surroundings, benefiting not just our Club but the entire community. Furthermore, government and AFL grant funding for Stage I & II of the Unley Oval Grandstand redevelopment project was primarily due to female facility funding—a testament to our commitment to inclusivity and the vital role football plays in our community. In fact, the SANFL has confirmed that no other SANFL club has contributed over $2,000,000 of their own money to leasehold facilities—an achievement reflecting our dedication to Unley Oval's improvement. Moreover, our hospitality venue, Jack's on Unley, has been giving back to the community by providing monthly $500 grants to local community groups within the City of Unley, totalling $11,000 to date. While it can be tiresome to have to continually respond to this minority group of residents, it's crucial to recognise our Club's significant contributions. While our usage of Unley Oval amounts to just 6% per annum (14% during daylight), we understand the importance of our financial and positive impact on the local community. Furthermore, it's essential to note that in addition to renting the oval for training, changing rooms, and administration offices, we also pay rent on 39 Oxford Terrace and Jack's on Unley, including notable Council Rates. The economic benefits we bring to the City of Unley, attracting over 40,000 match-day attendees per season, are significant for local businesses. We have called Unley Oval home, longer than any living resident, and we remain committed to contributing financially and positively to the local community. Thank you for your unwavering support and dedication to the Sturt Football Club.

Our Sturt Football Club's First Kick program kicked off in style today at Clarence Park Community Kindergarten. The children had a fun morning meeting our newest recruit, Will Snelling, who joined Bluey and our club officials for a fun-filled skills session. It was heart warming to see the joy and enthusiasm on the kids' faces as they got a taste of Aussie Rules footy and bonded with our amazing team. A big thank you to Clarence Park Community Kindergarten for hosting us, and to everyone involved for making today so special. Stay tuned for more updates on our First Kick journey. #SturtFC #FirstKickProgram #CommunityEngagement #FutureStars

It is with immense pride that we announce Nicholas “Nick” Swingler’s recent recognition with the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his exceptional contributions to community sport, with a special focus on the Sturt Football Club. Nick's journey with our club spans an impressive 43 years, during which his dedication has set a benchmark for excellence. Nick's impact extends far beyond our club's boundaries; he is a renowned figure within the SANFL and has been instrumental in setting high standards for medical teams in sports clubs. His guiding philosophy, "It's not what the club can do for me, it is what I can do for the Club," reflects his unwavering commitment and selflessness. Many of you may already be familiar with Nick's tireless dedication—he is often the first to arrive at the Club and the last to leave, including weekends. His influence reaches beyond match days and training sessions, as he tirelessly coordinates medical appointments, processes claims, and provides invaluable opportunities for medical students through his innovative program. Furthermore, Nick's efforts in securing sponsorship arrangements have significantly contributed to the financial well-being of the Club. In a commendable initiative to reduce costs, he even takes it upon himself to recycle cans and bottles, thereby offsetting medical supply expenses. I invite you all to join me in congratulating Nick on this well-deserved honour. His passion, dedication, and selflessness have left an indelible mark on Sturt Football Club and the broader community. Nick truly embodies the spirit of service.