Halls Creek left without football oval for second season as works delayed

Australia Broadcast Center

5 hours ago

One of outback Australia's most talent-laden footballing communities has been left without a safe football ground for a second consecutive season.
Halls Creek, 3,000 kilometres north-east of Perth, is home to 3,600 people and has produced more than 10 AFL and AFLW footballers over the past decade.
Scouts have flocked to the town's rough-and-tumble oval, where players like Shane McAdam (Melbourne), Jy Farrar (Gold Coast), Ash Johnson (Collingwood) and Sam Petrevski-Seton (Carlton/West Coast) got their first taste of football.
But after months of delays to planned works, the oval remains unsafe for football.
In a statement posted to the Shire of Halls Creek's Facebook page, chief executive Sue Leonard acknowledged the news was disappointing.
"Due to the unfinished nature of the work, the oval cannot be used safely in any capacity," she said.
"We acknowledge the delay is a significant setback for local footy teams, junior sports and many community members who rely on the oval as a central gathering and recreation space.
"We want to reassure the public that the project has not been abandoned.
"We are actively exploring all options to move the works forward."
The local competition split from the wider East Kimberley Football League in 2023 due to the staggering travel distances local clubs faced.
But the delays have made it hard for the fledgling South East Kimberley Football League to get up and running.
The local competition remains a source of pride, fun and community connection in a region facing immense social challenges.
Dennis Chungulla coaches the Yardgee Dockers, one of two teams based in Halls Creek, and said the prospect of another year with limited footy was very disappointing.
Despite past violent incidents during matches, he said the games were important "family events".
"The footballers are upset," he said.
Halls Creek Hawks president Trish Mackay said the delay had seen players drift away from the community.
"Some might have gone to Fitzroy [Crossing], some have definitely gone to teams in Kununurra," she said.
Sport also provides an important outlet for local youths, with Mr Chungulla often bringing in young players considered "at risk" in the wider community.
He said he was increasingly concerned about the impact another year without regular organised football would have.
"Without activities like these, you have kids roaming around the streets," Mr Chungulla said.
Ms Mackay said those who remained were desperate for footy to return.
"I've always got to answer: 'Look at the oval, you can't play on that, so we've got no football,'" she said.
"Football is a big part of their lives."
Mr Chungulla would like to be on the sidelines cheering the players on with their families as soon as possible, but he is not sure when the oval will be ready to host Australian Rules games again.
"We'd like to see something moving forward."
Mr Chungulla said the delay meant Halls Creek, Yardgee and other community teams would need help getting the competition up and running again.
In a social media statement, the Halls Creek Shire said it was engaging with the contractor — the second one since the works started — and could not provide any further details.