South is extremely fortunate to play at Albert Park. It is beautiful and central, but it is also busy. There are dozens of clubs who occupy the park, and to make things worse, each year we all lose park access thanks to the Grand Prix.

At Lakeside Stadium, the Senior team has to manage its access around Athletics, who also share the ground. As a result the Seniors train in the mornings, and are sometimes forced to play games on Monday nights. The juniors however, have more challenging arrangements at their Albert Park ‘home’.

In 2025 our Junior teams will play home games at Warner Reserve in Springvale, Princess Park in Caufield, and Grange Reserve, in Clayton. Even training sessions for the juniors teams are forced to move! This year the club posted pictures showing our girls training at the Darebin International Sports Centre!

All this is to say that South Melbourne have a facility problem. The club is relying on shorter term agreements and this is not how the club should be operating! Consistent, predictable and permanent home facilities contribute to club culture and will solve many of the issues fans often ask or complain about.

Why don’t we use the Social club more? Because our juniors and their parents aren’t training or playing anywhere near it!

Why don’t we have more juniors come to our games? Because they are likely playing a ‘home’ game that weekend half an hour away!

South currently have year-round access to Paul Wade Field (shared with other sports), Allan Davidson Field (exclusive), and Ange Postecoglou Field (exclusive). The club also has winter access to Oval 13. If this still isn’t enough than fans need to understand why! Longer-term arrangements need to be secured by the board as a priority!