Dayton delights to take out WAFC AwardFriday, October 11, 2024 - 12:53 PM

The Dayton District Open Space in Dayton is the winner of the 2024 West Australian Football Facility of the Year Award.

The Dayton project, located in the City of Swan, includes 15 hectares of open space. There are multi-use courts, AFL and cricket fields, synthetic and grass hockey fields, two sport pavilions with club changerooms and other amenities, a Family Hub and leisure and recreation spaces.

The development benefits the Caversham Suns Junior Football Club, Caversham Dayton Cricket Club, Ellenbrook Falcons Hockey Club, Eastern Blades Hockey Club, as well as the broader local community. 

Steven Rose, Manager Facilities and Government Relations at the West Australian Football Commission said the $30 million sport and recreation hub will support an area which will continue to see rapid growth in the next 30 years.

“The Dayton District Open Space is an outstanding example of how the right facilities can truly enhance a community,” Rose said. 

“These modern, accessible football grounds will not only support the growth of our game but also serve as a hub for bringing people together.”

“The collaboration between the City of Swan and the Caversham Suns Junior Football Club has been key to creating such a high-quality facility. 

“This partnership highlights how strong relationships can lead to the development of spaces that will benefit the entire community.”

Michael Cooper, President of Caversham Suns Junior Football Club welcomed the new facilities which the Club has utilised this season.

“The club is extremely happy and excited with our move and transition from Caversham to our new facility in Dayton”, Cooper said.

“Relocation has provided the club with two ovals to now utilise, bringing together Auskick, Juniors and enabling our Year 10, 11 and 12's the ability to finally play home games on a full-size oval instead of playing their games at other grounds that could accommodate us. 

Cooper said it was great to see the precinct come to fruition after being involved in the consultation process with the City of Swan for the last few years.

“Having a bigger club house and canteen plus more change rooms and defined spectator viewing areas, has given us the capacity for more spectators to watch,” Cooper said

We can now run multiple games at the same time, plus we hosted finals this season and received positive feedback on the new grounds and clubhouse".

Tanya Richardson, City of Swan Mayor said: “The Dayton District Open Space is a $30 million investment into sport and recreation for the community, representing the City of Swan’s commitment to effectively plan and deliver infrastructure to meet the needs of our residents.

“Dayton forms part of the Swan Urban Growth Corridor which has experienced rapid growth in recent years and this top-class facility supports our expanding community, providing plenty of leisure and sporting opportunities. 

“The City is proud to have been awarded the 2024 WA Football Facility of the Year – signifying the start of a thriving future for sports clubs at this facility.” 

The complex will now by nominated for the National AFL Ken Gannon Community Facility Award, which recognises the best practice in community football facility development across Australia, along with the people, clubs and other stakeholders driving the best projects. 

About the AFL Ken Gannon Community Football Facilities Awards: 

The Ken Gannon Awards recognise best practice facility development across the country. 

The awards are assessed by looking at the impact a project has consistent with the AFL’s aim of providing well-positioned, welcoming, fit-for-purpose football facilities that support our growing game’s strategic priorities. 

AFL state and territory bodies identify their best community football facilities project of that year according to those criteria, which then places that project in the running for the National Award, pending assessment by the AFL National Facilities Panel in conjunction with Ken Gannon. 

(L-R): Steven Rose, WAFC Manager Facilities and Government Relations, Tanya Richardson, City of Swan Mayor, Michael Cooper, Caversham Suns Junior Football Club President.