Regional Facilities Upgraded to Accommodate 2015 NAB Challenge

The sport that sprouted and grew in regional Australia is honouring its heritage and supporter base by returning to its roots. The 2015 NAB Cup draw released last month demonstrates the AFL’s commitment to regional communities, with “a number of suburban and regional venues (hosting) games during the month-long festival of football”.

Focus on Regional and Suburban

AFL General Manager – Broadcasting, Scheduling and Major Projects Simon Lethlean said "Fans in regional and suburban communities across Australia are unashamedly our focus throughout next year's NAB Challenge... We're pleased to be able to take top-flight football to some of the game's most important venues."

Regional and Suburban Venues

Pre-season NAB Challenge games will be played in every state across Australia next year, including suburban and regional venues:

VIC: Bendigo, Docklands, Footscray, Geelong, Morwell, North Ballarat and Shepparton

NSW: Albury, Blacktown, Coffs Harbour, Drummoyne* and Moore Park

QLD: Burpengary, Carrara and Townsville

SA: Norwood*, Port Lincoln* and West Lakes

WA: Fremantle, Mandurah and Subiaco

TAS: Launceston

ACT: Griffith

* Venues hosting AFL games for the first time.

Facility Requirements

The AFL’s Preferred Community Standards guidelines for quality facilities for local communities recommends Competition size goal posts (12m goal posts / 8m point posts) as the core size requirement for up to state league games. While ‘Competitions’ are a common feature of many local AFL ovals, NAB Challenge is a national level competition and venues must have Stadium size goal posts (15m goal posts / 10m point posts) to be compliant. Preparing for the NAB Challenge is an excellent opportunity for venues to become equipped with Stadium level goal posts, boosting the versatility and adding prestige to the oval.

PILA’s Involvement

As preferred supplier of goal posts to all national AFL associations, PILA has been at the forefront of accrediting venues for NAB Challenge compliance with Stadium size goal posts. Our posts are already in many NAB Challenge venues including Simonds Stadium, Metricon Stadium, Spotless Stadium, Patersons Stadium, Aurora Stadium, Blacktown International Sports Park and Drummoyne Oval.

Turn to PILA for the AFL goal posts you need to be NAB Challenge compliant or ready for any level of AFL. Call 13 7452 or email info@pilasport.com.au or visit the website: www.pilasport.com.au