Greek community soccer club fight to save home ground at Kings Reserve in SA

·

The Messinian Association Soccer Club – MA Hawks are currently fighting to save their home ground at Kings Reserve in Adelaide, South Australia.

This comes after the West Torrens Council approved an $85 million development project which will see the Adelaide Crows Football Club’s new headquarters built at the Thebarton Oval Precinct.

Under the plans, there would be two ovals that the Crows would use for training. The community would have access at other times.

Members of the MA Hawks have raised a number of concerns with this plan including the forced relocation of the MA Hawks soccer club, and the loss of up to 150 mature trees.

Since the inception of Kings Reserve in the early 80s, with funds from the then-Dunstan Government to establish a parkland for the local community, soccer has been played on Kings Reserve. The first club to utilise the reserve was Thebarton Asteris and then later in the 2000s, the MA Hawks became the occupiers of the reserve. MA Hawks were formed in 1987.

The Messinian Association is a 65-year-old organisation formed by Greek migrants from the Messinian region in Greece, that have their main Club rooms in Torrensville, a stone throw away from Kings Reserve.

Adelaide Crows artist impressions of their new base at Thebarton Oval. Picture: City Collective.

“A second football oval for Crows AFL cannot be categorised as community use,” MA Hawks spokesperson, Peter Bouras, said in a press release.

“I hope the council make the right decision here and considers the value of what a small club provides for the community.”

Mr Bouras said the Club’s lease runs out at the end of this year and they have asked the Crows about access to a soccer pitch for training two times a week and games on the weekend, but “they have not been forth coming.”

“There’s enough room on Kings Reserve for everyone. Crows can have a training field (but not MCG size), we can have a soccer pitch and the local community can have tree canopy and facilities, just like all other communities across Adelaide,” Mr Bouras said.

In response, Crows chief executive Tim Silvers told The Advertiser the plans had been revised on the back of community feedback. Mr Silvers said the second oval, which would take up most of Kings Park Reserve, was in line with what most AFL clubs had.

Source: The Advertiser.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Paul Nicolaou slams City of Sydney’s gas ban, warns of blow to hospitality sector

Business Sydney's Paul Nicolaou has criticised the City of Sydney’s new “all-electric” policy, warning it could force restaurants out.

George Lavrentiadis avoids jail after illegally demolishing historic shacks

George Lavrentiadis has been handed a suspended jail sentence after demolishing two historic seaside shacks at Deep Creek, SA.

Sam Konstas bowled out as Australia struggles in Barbados Test

Sam Konstas endured another tough outing in Barbados as Australia’s top order collapsed on day two of the first Test against the West Indies.

Attica fire subsides as Australian helicopters assist

A major wildfire that erupted in low vegetation between Palaia Fokaia and Thymari, southeast of Athens, is now in remission.

Mitsotakis urges EU to rethink strategic approach to defence and migration

Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis has urged the European Union to adopt a more strategic stance toward countries not aligned with the bloc’s CFSP.

You May Also Like

12-year-old Gezel stuns coaches on The Voice Australia

12-year-old Gezel Bardossi stunned all four coaches on The Voice Australia with her singing performance on Monday night.

Greece ranked No. 1 most romantic honeymoon destination for 2020

Greece has been considered the No.1 honeymoon spot for another year in a row by Harpers Bazaar's 'Best Honeymoon Destinations.' In their review of Greece, they wrote:

Health minister affirms Greece shielded against coronavirus

The Greek authorities have taken every measure to protect the country against the spread of the new coronavirus, Health Minister Vassilis Kikilias said on Monday, as the death toll in neighbouring Italy climbed to five.