Lights On At St Joseph's Thanks To AFL Facilities Project

AFL Victoria is excited to formally unveil the first completed project in Victoria under the AFL’s Breaking New Ground program at St Joseph's College, Echuca.

Breaking New Ground is an AFL-led initiative that provides funding for the planning, design and development of Australian Rules Football facilities, in partnership with a range of government and non-government bodies.

A new sporting precinct formed a significant component of the planning for the site, including an MCG-sized oval, which is to be used predominantly for Australian Rules football, to support the growth of the Echuca junior and senior football programs (currently based at Victoria Park, Echuca).

The completed project also includes new 100 Lux lighting that allows for safe nighttime use, with a $200,000 contribution from the AFL toward the lighting installation. 

Ground capacity at Echuca's current home ground of Victoria Park is under increasing pressure as the clubs grow, with the facilities planned to undergo a large-sale redevelopment, which will temporarily displace both programs. Echuca Junior Football Club (JFC) is a large junior club in the Goulburn Murray Junior League with more than 320 registered participants, with the club a major partner in this project.

The project sits at St Joseph's College's second campus, the Kildare Campus, about 5km west of the Echuca township where the main Brigidine Campus is. Year 7, 8 and 9 students have been based at the Kildare campus since the start of 2025, with this new project a boost to the facilities available for students and the broader Echuca community.

The new facilities at St Joseph's College will become a secondary home for training, with pre-season anticipated to begin in the coming weeks, and eventually the facilities will be able to host competitive matches.

AFL Victoria Venue and Government Partnerships Manager, Jessie Doull, said the completion of this project is a milestone for football in the local community and in Victoria more broadly.

“It’s hard to believe that less than 12 months ago we were here announcing this project in an empty dirt lot, and here we are today celebrating its completion,” Doull said.

“On behalf of the AFL, I would like to thank the various stakeholder groups who have come together to see this project through from start to finish. It’s extremely exciting for St Joseph’s College and the Echuca Junior Football Club, who will benefit from having much improved facilities that bring people together.”

“Community football is the foundation of the game and the heartbeat of so many towns and communities across Victoria, so it’s important that participants have access to welcoming, inclusive and modern facilities.

"It’s also imperative that the availability of adequate facilities increases alongside our rising participation rates, particularly with the significant growth of women and girls’ football across the state.”

St Joseph’s College Echuca Principal, Anne Marie Cairns said the school is thrilled to have a high-quality facility for the entire community to benefit from.

“Tonight’s official lighting switch-on marks a wonderful milestone in what has been a true partnership between education, community and sport. These lights will open up new opportunities for our young people, allowing them to train, play and connect well into the evening," Cairns said.

"The support of the AFL, AFL Victoria and the Echuca Junior Football Club has helped us create a facility that will inspire participation and pride — not only for our students, but for the entire Echuca Moama region. It’s a powerful example of what can be achieved when we work together for a common goal.

"This project is about more than just a football oval. It’s an investment in the health, wellbeing and spirit of our community for many years."

Echuca Junior Football President Jarratt Farley said the new venue represents a proud milestone in the club’s future.

“It’s great to see our juniors getting access to such a high-quality facility. We’re really looking forward to seeing our players learn, grow and enjoy their footy under the lights, with the community right there supporting them,” Farley said.

“With over 320 young players across 12 teams and Auskick, this partnership gives our rising stars access to top-class facilities, including a high-quality playing surface and state-of-the-art lighting—perfect for night games and a vibrant, family-friendly atmosphere.

“This move ensures the next generation of Echuca Bombers, from Auskick to Under 16s, have the very best environment to develop their skills and love for the game.

"A huge thank you to St Joseph’s College and the AFL for their incredible support in making this possible.” 

About the project and the AFL's Breaking New Ground initiative

St Joseph’s College in Echuca was one of the first projects in Victoria to be announced through the AFL’s ‘Breaking New Ground’ program, which provides funding for the planning, design and development of Australian Rules Football facilities, in partnership with a range of government and non-government bodies.Breaking New Ground aligns with the ‘Australian Football Infrastructure Plan: Towards 2030’, in which the AFL has committed to building or developing an oval a week every week to keep up with the growth of community football and the need to increase facility capacity.

In 2022, St Joseph's College lodged an application to the AFL Breaking New Ground program, with the AFL approving a contribution of $200,000 towards installing the 100 Lux lighting at the facility to allow for safe nighttime use. Echuca JFC and St Joseph's College are the other funding partners of the project, with EJFC's contribution covering the remainder of the lighting costs and other items such as goal netting and a scoreboard. InsideEDGE were the consultant appointed to complete the Partnership Opportunity Plan (feasibility report) for the project. Further information on the Breaking New Ground program and other facility management and funding programs can be found at https://play.afl/facility-management/funding