night footy at woodville

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl/night-footy-in-woodville-oval-out/story-fn525un5-1226026815096
Night footy in, 'Woodville Oval' out
Michelle Etheridge From: The Messenger March 23, 2011 2:34pm

NIGHT football could soon be played at Woodville Oval following a Woodville West Torrens bid to install new lights at its headquarters.

Charles Sturt Council's asset management committee last week voted to give in-principle support for the lights, which the club hopes will help boost attendances and takings on game days.

The Eagles are also looking for a sponsor to buy the naming rights for the Oval Ave ground.

CEO Chris Davies said Woodville West Torrens hoped to mirror the success of other SANFL clubs, which have recently boosted turnover as a result of introducing night football.

Last year, West Adelaide attracted double the number of spectators at its night games, compared with daytime matches.

The Bloods have been allocated five home night games this season, after installing the lights early in 2010.


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The Eagles have historically had among the lowest home game crowds in the league.

"Clearly, there's the potential with South and West having lights that we'll be at the bottom of the pack in terms of crowds this year," Mr Davies said.

"If Thebarton Oval gets lights in the short term, obviously we'd look at playing night footy there. "We'll look to do the best commercial deal for the club."

The Eagles have one home night game scheduled this year against Sturt at Adelaide Oval on April 15. Mr Davies said the club would now research the cost of installing new lights, which would need to comply with regulations to ensure minimum spill into adjacent residential areas.

He could not say when the lights were likely to be installed.

"We've obviously got to find the funding to do it and put that proposal to the full council and comply with all the legislative requirements," he said.

Mr Davies said the club did not have a sponsor in mind for the oval's naming rights.

"It's on the radar because it can provide extra revenue for us and also our programs we run from a community perspective," he said.

As previously reported by the Weekly Times Messenger, Woodville West Torrens has shelved plans for a $4 million upgrade of its clubrooms due to uncertainty over how much funding it will receive from the SANFL in future, and planned pokies reforms which are expected to eat into revenue.

The club will lodge new plans with the council over the next fortnight, including a new lift and toilets with disability access.