Wolf Blass, the legendary winemaker, is more than just a connoisseur of fine wine. He is a passionate supporter of the Norwood Football Club, a love affair ignited when he first set foot on Australian soil in 1961. His deep-rooted affection for the Redlegs would soon blossom into a philanthropic endeavor that would forever change the face of the club.
The Norwood Football Club, a cornerstone of the Adelaide community, was founded in 1878, and had long dreamed of a state-of-the-art facility. A place where players, members, and the wider community could gather, celebrate, and connect. Blass, with his characteristic generosity, saw an opportunity to make this dream a reality.
He made a substantial initial donation, a significant sum of half a million dollars, to inject life into the project. But Blass’s commitment to the club ran deeper. When the project faced uncertainty, he stepped up once again, pledging another generous donation of $500,000. His steadfast support was instrumental in securing the future of the community centre, which helped give the club a cutting-edge new function room, bar, and set of club rooms, all under one roof.
Among the other major donors were Bill & Jo Cooper, Dr Dean and Margaret Southwood, Simon Berry, and Denis and Joan Brion. Their collective generosity paved the way for the construction of the Wolf Blass Community Centre, a stunning facility nestled between the Sir Edwin T. Smith Stand and the Western Stand.
The Wolf Blass Community Centre quickly became much more than a set of club rooms; it became a community hub, and a space where everyone is welcome – regardless of involvement with the footy world.
Venue Manager Patrick Allan said, “It was an early instance of community for Wolf, and that’s what’s helped foster his love of footy. We want to have a space to invite people to be part of a new community, and that’s why we’re open to all.”
When introducing the centre, Blass joked, “I gave Paul (Di Iulio, President of Norwood Football Club board) a call, and the first thing he said after I told him I’m putting another $500,000 in, he said ‘are you sober?'”
Di Iulio touched on what the centre means to Norwood, saying, “To embrace the broader community, whether it’s the Norwood & St Peters council area or the broader community of Adelaide, it’s fantastic to have this centre. Wolf Blass himself wanted the word ‘community’ in the name, which was a really strong point to make sure it was inclusive and that it’s available to everyone. We want everyone to enjoy the fruits of the Norwood Football Club.”
The newly built Wolf Blass Community Centre is the heart and soul of the Norwood Football Club, embodying a rich story of community spirit and a warm invitation to all who walk through its doors. Within its doors is the state-of-the-art Norwood Function Room which, in its bright, spacious glory, overlooks the pristine Norwood Oval.
As one of the Centre’s key attractions, the function room is a highly adaptable, premium space, ready for whatever function, event, or celebration that members (or the general public) are envisioning. To date, it’s been a destination for conferences, corporate events, lunches, special occasions and more. Designed with purpose-built conferencing facilities, including state-of-the-art AV and digital signage, it ensures seamless presentations with a beautiful oval backdrop. Off-street parking makes access a breeze, while bespoke function packages cater to everything from leadership seminars to celebration dinners. Ideal for team-building days, the venue also offers keynote speaker packages featuring premiership-winning coaches and immersive on-field activities.
Patrick Allan says, “There is a whole lot of nostalgia in the room. There isn’t a single event that goes past where someone hasn’t got a fascinating story about footy, sports, or the community in general. I think that’s the part I like about it the most. There’s always an experience that someone’s had here, which means there’s a real familiarity to the venue.”
“We’ve had guests who were involved with Sturt back in the day and are still bitter about the 1980s grand final from Sturt,” Allan joked, “But there are also guys who recount their first footy experiences of standing on the hill with their dad and a lot of heartwarming stories like that.”
“Everyone seems to have an emotional connection to the space, which I don’t think you get at a lot of other function spaces.”
As a part of the football club’s value, ‘give back to community,’ the function room also aims to support grassroots level sporting clubs with specially tailored packages.
The Wolf Blass Community Centre is full of history, memorabilia, and keepsakes from Norwood Football Club’s 147-year history.
The space holds impressive pregame lunches and dinners during the football season. Picture a full sit-down meal with coaches, GMs, and players telling dramatic stories and introducing the occasion pre-match. Five-hour packages are available on game day where tables are structured to ensure the best seats in the house. It’s so close to the action that you feel like you could reach out and touch the oval! Cocktails, wines, and other beverages are all available.
“We have a really strong connection with amateur sports clubs and local schools in terms of end-of-year functions and celebrations,” said Function Manager, Patrick Allen. He said it was an extremely important aspect of the club and the venue, and they can’t wait to welcome more clubs into the function room doors in years to come.
So whether you’re reliving old footy memories, celebrating new milestones, or bringing people together for something special, the Norwood Function Room is a place where history, community, and camaraderie come to life.
Norwood Function Room
Where: Wolf Blass Community Centre, Coopers Stadium, 4 Woods Street, Norwood SA
When: Tailored times as per function requirements.
For more information and enquiries, click here.
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