Artist Impressions supplied, SMFA
The Henley Sharks Football & Netball Club is preparing for one of its biggest transformations yet. This week, the club revealed that major redevelopment plans are in the works, promising a new era for the local sporting organisation.
After months of work behind the scenes, the club has shared that the plans for its long-awaited redevelopment design are officially complete, and that they’re ready to enter the next phase of bringing the project to life, launching a major funding push to secure the support needed to turn their vision for a modern, community-driven sporting home into reality.
Working closely with architects SMFA and their team, including Matt Rundell (Director), Nick Gelekis (Project Lead Architect), and Jamie Francescangeli (Graduate of Architecture), as well as neighbouring clubs and key precinct stakeholders, the Henley Sharks have carefully mapped out a vision for a contemporary new home that supports their rapid growth while strengthening their future. With planning now finalised, the club is kicking off a major funding campaign, set to roll out over the coming months as they engage with government, council, sponsors and the broader community to help turn their plans into reality.
SMFA have created a concept design that will be used by the club to lobby for grant funding. The new site will play a vital role in uniting people across football, cricket, netball, and little athletics, encouraging participation for all ages and genders. Throughout the process, multiple stakeholder engagement workshops have been undertaken to ensure the proposal is designed to support the expanding needs of both the club and the broader community.
“It has been a pleasure working closely with the club’s committee members to collaboratively develop the proposal,” shared the SMFA team. “It is fundamental that we are ensuring the new facility provides not only new amenities but also creates a new hub for the clubs to grow and the community to embrace.”
Henley Sharks President Dwayne Illies added, “This redevelopment is long overdue. As the club continues to outgrow its current facilities, securing the necessary investment will be essential to meeting the growing needs of our members and community.”
For a club with such a long history, the redevelopment is a chance to build a space that reflects the Sharks’ evolution and diversity. Established in 1899, the club has seen much success over the years, from producing AFL-level talent to securing premierships year after year. The Sharks have built a reputation for excellence both on and off the field.
In recent years, its biggest growth has come from its juniors and women’s programs, which have expanded at an extraordinary pace. Junior football first launched at the club in 1983, and has continued to thrive, with junior girls football introduced in 2017. This expansion quickly led to the club’s first under-18 women’s team in 2018 and then the arrival of the A-Grade senior women’s team in 2020, all fuelled by passionate young female players eager to get out on the field.
Netball also became part of the Sharks family in 2019, attracting interest with eight teams joining the SAUCNA competition in its first year. Ever since, netball participation has continued to grow, with more junior and senior sides joining each season.
With such strong numbers and the female and junior participation becoming more and more popular, the need for upgraded facilities has never been clearer. The redevelopment aims to deliver a modern, inclusive home that supports current members, welcomes new families and secures the future of sport in Henley Beach for generations to come.
To stay up to date with the project, follow their socials @henleysharks_fc.
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