St George Football Association general manager Craig Kiely is hopeful his organisation’s arrangement to use Jubilee Oval at Kogarah as its administrative offices will lead to regular, elite level football matches at the ground.
The association will shortly move into the offices at Kogarah, with Jubilee now essentially the base for football in the St George district.
“St George is the spiritual home for football in Australia and for the game to have a regular presence at the iconic Jubilee Oval is a huge outcome for football,” Kiely said.
“We have a number of activities planned at the venue including a girls’ grassroots day in April, a number of local grand finals and will also be hosting an inaugural Festival of Football on February 10 which will encompass a number of football activities for all ages to enjoy.
“We also hope through this arrangement with council that we will see future opportunities for Jubilee Oval to host A-League, W-League and FFA Cup matches.”
Since Georges River Council resumed management of the ground from the St George Illawarra NRL club in February last year, the council has attempted to make it more accessible to other sporting groups and codes in the area.
Jubilee Oval will remain a home ground and training venue for the Dragons but Mayor of Georges River Council Kevin Greene said council had worked closely with SGFA to secure football’s long-term future at the stadium.
“As part of the arrangement, Jubilee Oval will become the new headquarters for the association and see more local and state level football matches played at the oval on a regular basis.
“By opening the doors to sporting groups such as the St George Football Association, council is able to pave the way for this state of the art facility to be a regular home for local sporting competitions.”
