Darwin’s updated lighting project at Bagot Oval allows sport to be played in cooler evenings

With Darwin being one of Australia’s hottest places, the lighting upgrade project now complete at Bagot Oval – a sporting reserve maintained by the City of Darwin – will see more games and training taking place in the cooler evenings.

The upgrade to Bagot Oval - located on the corner of Bagot and McMillans Road in Millner - is part of the Northern Territory Government’s $4.8 million Urban Oval Lighting investment, which allows more Territorians to play their chosen sport in the cooler evenings.

Football NT Chief Executive, Bruce Stalder notes “the installation of field lighting at Bagot Oval is a fantastic initiative from the NT Government and will be a game changer for Football NT, the Mindil Aces Football Club, and the thousands of MiniRoos and juniors.

“It will mean an improvement in player welfare the immediate easing of congestion for training sessions for near to 50 teams. It will also allow participation numbers to grow, particularly for girls and women at a club dedicated to the women’s game.”

City of Darwin have been managing the Urban Oval Lighting Upgrades Project and have been working closely with the NT Government to install lights that provide more opportunities for the community, particularly women, girls and juniors, to train and play at night.

The new lights at Bagot Oval will help Football NT and the Mindil Aces continue to grow the game as more players of all ages can now make greater use of the Bagot Oval pitches.

In addition to the upgrade at Bagot Oval, local contractor Espec NT recently completed upgrades at Gardens Oval One.  Upgrades at Nightcliff Oval are on track to be completed by November.

The installation of sporting oval lights means the Darwin community has more opportunities to participate in sports, with local clubs able to schedule training and matches, including after-work and after-school sessions.

Northern Territory Minister for Sport, Kate Worden advises “Bagot Oval is one of three iconic Top End sporting venues this Government has installed lights at. Darwin is the best place in Australia to be involved in sports but it’s also one of the hottest, so our investment in lights at Bagot Oval will see more games and training take place in the cooler evenings.  We are providing our communities with top-class sporting facilities so that Territorians can continue to enjoy active lifestyles.”

City of Darwin Lord Mayor, Kon Vatskalis adds “Installing lights at Bagot Oval, the second major oval to benefit from the NT Government-funded project, is a boon for local sport. Lights provide the option to play games and practice at cooler times of day, which is a great outcome for families who want to watch, individuals who want to play and for the local football club.”