Manuka Oval
Manuka Oval
Manuka Oval is a sports facility in the Australian Capital Territory with a seated capacity of 12000 and an estimated total capacity of just over 15,700 in AFL configuration (12,500 for Cricket). It was opened in 1929 as an enclosed stadium but had previously been used for rugby league and australian football before that. The scoreboard at Manuka Oval is the old scoreboard from the MCG.
In 1995, Fitzroy took on West Coast in Canberra in the first ever AFL game in the capital. Fitzroy people allege that the AFL later declined to go ahead with a deal between Fitzroy and the ACT to play up to 7 games a year in an arrangement which may have given the club some firm financial footing.
It is currently the secondary home to the Greater Western Sydney Giants in the AFL, having previously seen home matches played there by several teams including North Melbourne, Western Bulldogs, and Melbourne.
In November 2010, the ACT Government and the AFL announced a 10 year, $23 million sponsorship of the new Greater Western Sydney Giants, which would include 4 games a year at Manuka Oval, and Canberra to be incorporated in the playing jumper.
Upgrades and Developments
In April 2012, The Prime Minister announced a 2.5 million dollar lighting upgrade for Manuka Oval to enable the playing of night matches at the facility in broadcast quality lighting.
In March 2013, the ground hosted its first ever AFL night match. The first AFL premiership match under lights at Manuka will take place in April when the Giants play St Kilda in a twilight game in round 3.
In February 2015, the Canberra Times reported that the ACT Government was considering building a hotel onto the back of the Bradman Stand as part of $35 million upgrade to the oval with a view to hosting matches in the 20/20 World Cup.
In August 2015, the ACT Government said that the AFL should contribute some of the money from its rights deal to the Manuka oval development.
Naming Rights
The Oval is referred to as StarTrak Oval during AFL matches for at least 2 years betweem 2013 and 2015. The momey from the sponsorship belongs to Greater Western Sydney, although ACT residents have been assured that the Oval recieves a small percentage. The exact figures have not been released.
References:
- Aug 20, 2015 – Chief Minister Andrew Barr calls for AFL funds for Manuka Oval
- Feb 14, 2015 – Manuka Oval hotel on agenda as ground gets major facelift – Canberra Times
- Jan 11, 2014 – Manuka Oval’s new amenities aimed at putting it up with the best grounds
- Mar 7th, 2013 – AFL Fans warned over Manuka parking – Canberra times
- Oct 17th, 2012 – Giants, Saints to light up Manuka – Canberra times
- Apr 28th, 2012 – “Canberra a sea of orange” – AFL.com.au
- Mar 17th, 2012 – A Giant Proposition – Canberra times
- Nov 11th, 2010 – GWS-Canberra deal good value – ABC
- The Tale of Fitzroy
- Attendance Figures
- Manuka Oval Redevelopment Master Plan