The Yarras had been in the dark for over 8 years until President Hilly said, “Let there be light!”
In 2006 the South Yarra Football Club went into recess for the second time in its volatile history, being unable to field two teams. Consequently, the Yarras lost the rights to use the ground at T.H. King Oval in High Street, Glen Iris and were forced to move to Fritsch Holzer Reserve, Camberwell Road, Hawthorn East when it re-joined the then Southern Football League in 2007. The oval was small and only had lights covering less than half the ground from the club rooms end. Over the years, the Yarras have used initiatives to gain more light for training. Including, anchoring two smaller lights to a basketball backboard and hiring a set of training lights twice a week. However, these initiatives were short lived and didn’t provide adequate lighting for the players to train on the ground during the winter months.
With assistance from the Bendigo Bank CASH group (including the Surrey Hills, Canterbury, Ashburton and Balwyn branches), the club was able to source $25,000 over five years to help fund a new light tower. Other funding was sourced through club initiatives such as functions and fundraising.
Mr. Timothy Hakfoort of Euroluce designed the light tower infrastructure and Mr. Paddy Murphy of PCM Services managed the construction of the light tower.
Slowly, signs of construction began to take place. The Yarras trained during their preseason in January 2015 with a large hole on the side of the ground. Then, a concrete slab was poured and a large pole appeared around Australia Day weekend.
The official “Lighting up” of the new light tower occurred on 24th April and those that attended included:
- John Pesutto (State Liberal Member for Hawthorn);
- Dick Menting of the Bendigo Bank;
- David Cannizzo of the Southern Football Netball League (CEO);
- South Yarra Auskick Cubs;
- South Yarra FC Past and Present Players;
- South Yarra FC Committee members and life members; and
- South Yarra Netballers
Dick Menting flicked the switch on and everyone was in awe of the effect the new lights have on the once dark ground.
This was a huge project undertaken bythe president, Bruce Hill and the committees he has headed up over the years, and Simon Keating (2008 South Yarra Premiership Coach). The Yarras are forever grateful for being able to train using the entire ground. This will give them the opportunity to increase their skills and fitness throughout the entire year. A big thanks must go to our sponsors and committee members over the past 8 years that made this happen, in particular the Bendigo Bank and Bruce Hill.
Last Modified on 12/04/2023 23:33