AFL releases new guidelines on community sport facilities

Looking to build on previous guidance on the development of new sporting facilities and/or those being considered for major refurbishment or redevelopment, the AFL has released the latest edition of its Preferred Facility Guidelines.

Replacing the 2019 and previous Guidelines publications, the 2024 edition builds on the previous versions - reinforcing the need for access, equity, and sustainability across all venues - while also placing increased emphasis on the stages of project planning and advocates for the umpiring community by highlighting the requirement for more fit-for-purpose infrastructure that caters to their needs.

The new publication follows the AFL having sought input from multiple stakeholder groups during 2023 on how ‘the Guidelines’ could be improved to continue to support facility planning and development across Australia.

Initially developed in 2012 to provide direction, the Guidelines were republished in 2019 to recognise changing trends in community facilities, and incorporated advice on inclusive amenities, innovation in ground surface technology (i.e. hybrid and synthetic turf) and modular pavilion and amenity buildings.

The information presented within the Guidelines clearly outlines the recommended standards for each venue type and should be used to inform the development of flexible, accessible, and fit-for-purpose facilities and amenities for community football.

Key Amendments Made for the 2024 AFL Preferred Facility Guidelines include:

• Reinforcement of the need for access, equity, and sustainability across all venues

• More information regarding the integral components and stages of rigorous project planning

• Strong advocacy for the umpiring community with the inclusion of relevant fit-for-purpose infrastructure recommendations

• Reference to the AS 2560.2 - Sports Lighting, Part 2: Specific applications which establishes lighting design and performance standards for various indoor and outdoor sports areas, encompassing a wide range of sports, spectator areas, and safety lighting

• More information regarding the AFL’s commitment to collaborative community usage of football facilities

• Inclusion of best practice case studies within the appendices

• Summary page of supporting infrastructure provision for community football venues

• Additional functional site layout plans and diagrams

• Updated references to relevant industry standards and regulatory compliance

However, Australasian Leisure Management understands that there are issues with the section of the Guidelines that relate to artificial surfaces and that the AFL is to issue amended information for this section.

Click here for more information on the 2024 AFL Preferred Facility Guidelines.

Image: Ballarat Eastern Oval.