STRATEGIC DIRECTION
VISION
To develop sustainable, inclusive and high-quality football facilities that elevate the experience of the game for every player, coach, official and community member in the Mid North Coast region.
OBJECTIVES
Enable targeted investment in areas of most need.
PURPOSE
To prioritise and deliver strategic infrastructure investments that respond to population growth, address participation demand and ensure equitable access to quality football facilities across the Mid North Coast region.
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
n Target investment in facilities where the need is greatest and the return on participation is strongest.
n Optimise and expand capacity at existing venues through lighting, drainage and surface improvements.
n Build inclusive environments, particularly through the delivery of gender-neutral change rooms and accessible amenities.
n Support new venues to meet the projected growth of the game and wider community needs.
n Foster partnerships with local government, community organisations and funding bodies to maximise outcomes.
6,900
TOTAL FIELDS
POPULATION CONTEXT
The Mid North Coast region is experiencing sustained growth across its LGA, with strong implications for future demand in sport and recreation infrastructure.
PLAYING FIELD SUMMARY
NUMBER OF VENUES
CHANGE ROOM SUMMARY
STRATEGIC ALIGNMENT
THIS STRATEGY SUPPORTS:
NSW GOVERNMENT ACTIVE RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE GUIDELINES
STATE AND FEDERAL INFRASTRUCTURE GRANT OBJECTIVES
2024-26 STRATEGIC PLAN DEVELOPMENT
NORTHERN NSW FOOTBALL STRATEGIC PLAN (2024–2026)
LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMUNITY AND RECREATION STRATEGIES
INFRASTRUCTURE PRIORITIES
PLANNING FOR GROWTH
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With the population expected to grow by more than 43,000 residents across the region by 2041, the demand for sporting infrastructure, particularly for football, will increase significantly. Facility planning must align with urban growth corridors and future land-use priorities..
ENHANCING CAPACITY
n Many fields lack sufficient lighting and drainage, limiting use during wet weather and after dark.
n Irrigation coverage is inconsistent, increasing maintenance costs and limiting surface quality.
n Targeted lighting and surface up grades can increase capacity by up to 20 per cent across the network.
SUPPORTING INCLUSION
n Only 39 per cent of venues have gender-neutral or female-friendly change rooms.
n Facilities to support referees, volunteers and spectators, particularly women and young people, are essential to participation growth.
n Accessibility upgrades are critical to ensure facilities are inclusive for people with disability.
ESTABLISHING HOMES OF FOOTBALL
n Long-term planning should identify opportunities to develop synthetic surfaces and regional hubs that can support year-round use, elite development and tournament hosting.
VENUE / PROJECT
2025-30 FLAGSHIP PROJECTS
THRUMSTER SPORTS FIELD
$22M NEW REGIONAL FACILITY
BOB COLLIER OVAL
$600K IRRIGATION, DRAINAGE AND LIGHTING
EG TRADD SPORTS
WINGHAM SPORTS COMPLEX
$200K DRAINAGE ON ALL FIELDS
$1M UPGRADED AMENITIES
FAIRMONT GARDENS
$250K DRAINAGE ON ALL FIELDS
$1M NEW AMENITIES BUILDING
PRIORITY PROJECTS
THRUMSTER SPORTS FIELDS, THRUMSTER
FACILITIES Football Specific
PROJECT Newly established regional football facility
COST $22,000,000
RATIONALE
OUTPUTS
A home of football for Football Mid North Coast to address the growing player development programs especially with females. Provide a home for a community club and access to small sided pitches for all weather football and modified games.
Improved player experience. Will enable increase in night matches and increased training capacity. Will support female growth which currently sits at 31 per cent of participation.
BOB COLLIER OVAL, TINONEE
FACILITIES Multi-sport (cricket and football)
PROJECT New field with irrigation, drainage and lighting
COST $600,000
RATIONALE
OUTPUTS
Only one field which is shared with local rugby union team. Looking for a football field with a good surface to cater for a club with increasing participants. Can be completed in stages
Enables increased night fixtures and training. Supports long standing club, growing at 20 per cent per year over the last three years, especially females
EG TRADD SPORTS FIELDS, OLD BAR
FACILITIES Multi-sport (football, cricket and rugby)
PROJECT Installation of drainage on all fields
COST $200K
RATIONALE
OUTPUTS
Old Bar Barbarians FC were able to play on their main pitch on only two occasions during the 2025 season. Each cancellation has been devastating for the club’s 220+ members, their families and the volunteers who work tirelessly to keep the club running
Enables greater participation experience with more football played. Increased matches will continue to support the growth within the club.
PRIORITY PROJECTS
WINGHAM SPORTING COMPLEX, WINGHAM
FACILITIES Multi-sport (cricket and football)
PROJECT
New amenities including player and referee changerooms, canteen and gender-neutral toilets
COST $1M
RATIONALE
OUTPUTS
Amenities old, run down and not compliant or suitable for males or females to use
Required to cater for increasing participation and provide gender-neutral changerooms in a welcoming environment
PRIORITY PROJECTS
FAIRMONT GARDENS, WAUCHOPE
FACILITIES Multi-sport (football and cricket)
PROJECT
Installation of drainage across all fields at the venue
COST $250K
RATIONALE
OUTPUTS
Fields are unusable in wet weather. The installation of drainage is desperately required to redress this situation.
CRESCENT HEAD SPORTS FIELD, CRESCENT HEAD
FACILITIES Multi-sport (football & cricket)
PROJECT
Construct new amenities building including genderneutral change rooms, public toilets, canteen and match officials change room.
COST $1M
RATIONALE
Increases participant satisfaction through more matches and training. Enables club to host gala day events and other football programs with surety
OUTPUTS
Club has no amenities building, providing a poor experience for not only the Crescent Head club but all visiting clubs as well. This facility is long overdue given increase in female participation
Increased player, coach, volunteer and match official experience resulting in increased participation particularly in the female space
SUMMARY AND NEXT STEPS
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Football is the leading sport in the Mid North Coast. Infrastructure upgrades critical to growth.
Drainage of fields is of critical importance. Inclusive facilities key to female participation. Align with council strategies. Continue evidence-based planning and advocacy.
