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Shoalhaven’s revitalised Artie Smith Oval caters for local sport clubs and entertainment events

Shoalhaven’s revitalised Artie Smith Oval caters for local sport clubs and entertainment events
February 22, 2024

The transformed Artie Smith Oval officially opened earlier this month and can now cater for the diverse interests of the Shoalhaven community, having been designed to not only accommodate community sports clubs, but to also attract major sporting, entertainment and cultural events to the Shoalhaven.

Artie Smith Oval is currently being used six days a week by local clubs, including:

  • Cricket clinics
  • Local cricket training
  • Local pre-season AFL training
  • First and Second grade cricket matches
  • Representative cricket

The new Artie Smith Oval facilities include:

  • AFL/Cricket field and pavilion clubhouse with modern amenities
  • Cricket practice facilities designed to foster skill development
  • Four meticulously designed croquet courts, complemented by a clubhouse and amenities opening in May 2024
  • Open space embellishments, featuring play and exercise equipment, landscaping, pathways, and stylish seating furniture
  • Onsite car parking for the utmost convenience of visitors
  • Perimeter security fencing ensuring safe pedestrian access

Artie Smith Oval will receive specialised care and attention to prepare and maintain the playing surface, wickets, buildings and surrounds to ensure its status as a premium location.  

Access to the sports fields and recreational precinct will be limited to scheduled training, games and events. Sporting groups and event organisers can contact Council’s Booking Officer to enquire about availability and the booking process. 

Shoalhaven Mayor Amanda Findley said she was excited to be delivering a contemporary regional sporting facility for the Shoalhaven but noted the playing surface and surrounding infrastructure requires a higher level of service to maintain. 

Mayor Findley shared “The prestige facility has become a major drawcard for local sporting groups thanks to the high-quality turf, lighting, infrastructure and club buildings.

“Council is already receiving enquiries for Local and Country Cricket, AFL clinics, AFL representative matches, as well as other sporting and community events leading into 2025.

“The large investment in the project is clearly evident and Council will work hard to ensure the precinct remains a quality training and sporting facility the envy of the state.

“Just like our other sporting fields across the region, we currently offer Artie Smith free of charge to local sports group.”

Andrew Ellis, Head Coach for the Bomaderry Tigers Australian Football Club said Artie Smith Oval has been home for the Bomaderry Tigers AFL club since its inception in 1970.

“The men’s and women’s senior playing group have been fortunate enough to commence their 2024 campaigns on the new state of the art surface since December 2023 and the feedback has been nothing short of remarkable,” added Ellis.

“From a personal perspective, as someone who has played AFL for Bomaderry since the age of 11, I still need to pinch myself each time I enter our new arena.

“The recent upgrades to Artie Smith Oval is a significant milestone, not only for our proud club, but for the broader community as well. The club is extremely excited to have an opportunity to form the foundation of what will become another chapter of our great club.”

At the end of the cricket season in March, the facility will be closed for three weeks for a seasonal renovation to prepare the field for AFL season, which runs from April to September 2024. 

In the coming months, the children’s playground will have access enhanced thanks to new fencing to enable community use throughout the day.

The Shoalhaven Community and Recreation Precinct Artie Smith Oval – Southern project is co-funded by Shoalhaven Council, the Australian Government, and the NSW Government's Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund. 

For further information go to the Shoalhaven City Council’s website

Related Articles

24th January 2024 - Revitalised Artie Smith Oval opening to showcase enhanced recreational facilities

23rd January 2024 - AFL releases new guidelines on community sport facilities

28th October 2023 - Community sports club volunteers key to driving female participation

24th October 2023 - Funding increased for community sport in NSW

18th August 2023 - Shoalhaven community to celebrate completion of $4.8 million upgraded South Nowra netball courts

2nd July 2023 - Sport NSW announces Community Sports winners and Long Service Award recipients

18th April 2023 - Works progress on Shoalhaven’s Bomaderry major sports facility

6th June 2022 - Shoalhaven Indoor Sports Centre to host wellbeing expo

4th March 2022 - Shoalhaven to host 50th NSW Aboriginal Rugby League Knockout carnival

11th February 2022 - Works commence on contemporary regional sporting facility for Shoalhaven

20th January 2022 - Shoalhaven City Council commences work on Artie Smith Oval Bomaderry Project Redevelopment

23rd September 2021 - Shoalhaven City Council shares sporting facilities project update

9th September 2021 - Shoalhaven City Council secures $8 million to upgrade Artie Smith Oval

21st July 2021 - Shoalhaven showgrounds among facilities to benefit from bushfire recovery funding

24th February 2021 - Shoalhaven City Council calls for Sports Board nominations

4th January 2021 - Shoalhaven sportsfields continue to receive improved lighting

23rd December 2020 - Shoalhaven Indoor Sports Centre secures excellence award


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