Mount Gambier Women’s Football Set for Major Boost Through Record Power of Her Investment

Football South Australia has welcomed the announcement of a $2.47 million investment into women’s football in Mount Gambier, which will see the construction of a new purpose built Football facility at Tenison Woods College as part of the Power of Her Infrastructure and Participation Program.

The announcement was made at Tenison Woods College on Wednesday morning by the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Hon Clare Scriven MLC, CEO of Football South Australia Michael Carter and Tenison Woods Principal David Mezinic.

The Mount Gambier project represents the largest investment of the 41 successful applicants funded through the program and reflects the continued growth of women’s football across regional South Australia.

The new facility will include a FIFA-certified synthetic pitch, LED lighting achieving 350 lux, four unisex changerooms, kitchen facilities, coaches’ boxes, storage and four multipurpose courts, providing a high-quality environment for participation, development and community use.

Football SA CEO Michael Carter said the project would have a transformative impact on football in the Limestone Coast region.

“The partnership with Tenison Woods College, the Blue Lake Rangers Soccer Club and the entire community within the Limestone Coast has resulted in this significant investment from the State Government,” Carter said.
“The impact on football in the region will be profound. Tenison Woods College has approximately 1,300 students and all of them will have the opportunity to play and experience the region’s first synthetic surface. After school ours the venue will become a community space capable of hosting major events. I would like to thank Catholic Education and school principal David Mezinic for their support in bringing the proposal to life through a substantial investment.”

Minister Pearce highlighted the importance of investing in regional communities to support the continued growth of women’s football.

“As someone who grew up in regional South Australia, I know exactly how important it is to have thriving, well-resourced sporting clubs,” she said.
“The growth of women’s football, across the various codes, including throughout the regions, continues at pace and the Malinauskas Government is pleased to be making this investment in women’s football in Mount Gambier. Achieving gender equality in sport requires action which is why our government is backing clubs with the infrastructure, programs and equipment that allow girls and women to participate safely, confidently and on their own terms”

Minister Scriven said the project would deliver long-term benefits for families and young people across the region.

“This is a welcome investment in our region and an outstanding result for the future of women’s and girls’ sport in Mount Gambier,” she said.
“By partnering with Football Federation SA, the school and Blue Lake Rangers Soccer Club, we will ensure young girls and their families have access to state-of-the-art facilities when they play and train and chase their sporting dreams.

Sport is so important to so many families in Mount Gambier and I’m really pleased to see this project go ahead.”

Tenison Woods Principal David Mezinic praised the grant announcement.

“This grant is a fantastic opportunity for Tenison Woods College and the wider community,” said David Mezinec, Principal of Tenison Woods College. “The new football facility will deliver high-quality spaces for our students while also creating a shared facility that can be enjoyed by local sporting groups, benefiting young people across the region.”

The Mount Gambier development forms part of a broader funding round that will see more than $6.1 million invested into football (soccer) across South Australia, supporting 18 football clubs and organisations through infrastructure, programs and equipment initiatives.

The Power of Her program was established to ensure the legacy of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup continues, helping to grow a more inclusive and accessible sporting landscape for girls and women across the state.

This funding round contributes to the State Government’s $18 million commitment under the Power of Her program, ensuring lasting outcomes for women’s and girls’ football across both metropolitan and regional South Australia.