Media Release – Football Tasmania/Kingborough Lions Uniteed FC – 30 September 2022
The first stage of more than $6 million worth of upgrades is now complete at Lightwood Park, firming up the venue’s chances of being selected by a visiting international team as a base camp for the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The facility has been selected among 35 venues nationally on FIFA’s Team Base Camp shortlist, with participating teams to choose from the options once the draw takes place next month.
The completed Stage One includes four new changing rooms, which in addition to readying the venue to host some of the world’s best players, will also make Lightwood Park a much more female friendly venue for years to come.
Stage Two will see an additional four changing rooms, three referees rooms and a medical room complete the lower level of the new building.
Works to upgrade the playing surface and lighting have also commenced this week, which will bring the venue up to FIFA’s required specifications when they are completed later this year.
Kingborough Lions President Brian Downes said the possibility of hosting some of the world’s best players at Lightwood Park was tremendously exciting for the club.
“As a proud community club, Kingborough Lions is committed to providing opportunities for local players to participate in and enjoy football at a level which suits them, from social to elite competition.
“The upgrades at Lightwood Park will not only give us the best chance of hosting the best international players during the World Cup, but it will also ensure our venue is able to accommodate our growing grassroots player base for years to come, which will be a tremendous legacy of having the tournament on our shores.
“On behalf of the club, I would like to thank the State Government and Minister Nic Street, and the Federal Government and Minister Julie Collins for supporting our project.”
Football Tasmania President Bob Gordon said the facility would be a gamechanger for football in Kingborough, and Tasmania more broadly.
“The transformation of Lightwood Park is an outstanding achievement that the Kingborough Lions should be very proud of,” Mr Gordon said.
“Across Tasmania, one of the biggest challenges facing football is a lack of suitable playing and training venues for our players.
“Kingborough have really led the way in showing what’s possible with passion and hard work, and there’s no doubt we’d love to see similar facilities in every corner of the state.
“We’re delighted to see the new Lightwood Park takes shape, and we look forward to a rich future for the venue, from World Cup basecamps, to A-League men’s and women’s training and matches after that.”
