Playing AFL on a soft, green surface thanks to Melbourne Football Club

A small but important part of the Central Australian desert has recently turned green.

Ellie Kamara, Chief Executive Officer of Atyenhenge Atherre Aboriginal Corporation (AAAC) & Santa Teresa Enterprises Limited takes up the story.

‘After a 2017 camp-out in Ltyentye Apurte for their players and staff, the Melbourne Football Club (MFC) fell hard for our community and wanted to support our local sport and small enterprises,’ Ellie said.

‘A joke about the lack of grass on the oval led to where we are today – a freshly grassed oval.’

‘The community were delighted to hear of MFC’s offer but perhaps a little doubtful that such a grand gesture would be realised.’

‘Although interrupted by COVID 19, residents continued to watch the oval patiently for any progress.’

‘MFC talked to the Melbourne Cricket Ground Federation who committed to support the project. The Arrernte Traditional Owners fully supported the project and contributed the footy lights and related operational costs.’

The oval was prepared and seed planted between January and June of 2021 and the goal posts installed on the ground in late May 2021, coming directly from the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

The opening ceremony was held on June 3, 2021 with community residents and guests from Alice Springs.

‘Due to COVID-19, our Melbourne cousins were sorely missed,’ Ellie said.

AFLNT ran clinics for the school kids. There was a smoking ceremony and the ribbon was cut by Traditional Owners, Matthew Cavanagh and Malcolm Hayes.

Spinifex Skateboards, the Santa Teresa Spirituality Centre, the AAAC Hair Salon, and CatholicCare NT No More Program participated in the marketplace with local goods for sale. 

Merne Mwarre, the AAAC Nutrition Program, provided healthy food for all the guests.

For the big game, Ltyenyte’s Under 18s donned Demons jumpers and played Ltyentye’s Seniors in an exciting match on the new oval. After the match, Eastern Reggae Band entertained the crowd. 

‘The community is more than proud of our oval, and players and families are regular users. The level of community sporting involvement has increased, not only in footy,’ Ellie said.

‘We now have enormous opportunities for our small enterprises providing goods to visitors for sporting events. The Central Australian Football League have included our oval as part of the local fixture which will attract teams and families from all over Central Australia.’

A partnership has been developed between AAAC and MacDonnell Regional Council to ensure ongoing care and maintenance.

The oval will also be used for school sports, Auskick, concerts and other community events.

The water is sourced from the bore field, and MFC are looking at the future possibility of treating our sewerage water to cover the oval’s needs.

‘We believe the oval will result in an increased participation in sport, and a healthier community,’ Ellie said.

‘We anticipate likely health benefits from removing the huge dust bowl from the centre of the community leading to less trachoma, less respiratory diseases and less skin diseases as the kids slide in grass, not dirt and stones when they fall over.’