Sports Projects

Partridge Recreation Reserve’s eastern pitch has been transformed from natural grass to a FIFA-accredited synthetic surface.

The new surface more than doubles the ground’s capacity, increasing use from around 20 hours per week to more than 40. That means more training sessions, more matches and more access for the local soccer community, while also opening the space up to nearby residents, community groups and other sporting users.

The project also delivers strong environmental benefits. It features energy-efficient LED lighting and is Council’s first synthetic pitch to use an organic infill product. A 25mm rubber shock pad has also been installed beneath the surface, helping divert an estimated 75 tonnes of plastic waste and 70 tonnes of rubber waste from landfill.

 Sports Design Group completed the design and documentation for the Springleaf Reserve Active Open Space, delivering a major multi-sport community facility designed to support a range of sporting activities and community use.

The project comprised:

2 x full-size natural turf AFL ovals, incorporating synthetic turf cricket wickets

2 x acrylic-surfaced netball courts

3-bay cricket net facility

Over 150 car parking spaces

Supporting site infrastructure, access, drainage and landscape elements

The project required the integration of multiple sporting facilities within a single active open space, with a focus on functionality, durability, accessibility and long-term community use.

Springleaf Reserve represents one of Sports Design Group's significant early projects and demonstrates our capability to deliver complex, multi-sport facilities from concept through to detailed design and documentation.

 This project involved the development of a new natural turf soccer pitch measuring 88m x 60m, incorporating a 3m runoff zone to all sides to provide a high-quality and functional playing environment.

The project also included the design and integration of new perimeter fencing and pedestrian footpaths, improving player and spectator access while providing clear separation between sporting and circulation areas.

The development forms part of a broader multi-sport precinct incorporating an adjoining hockey pitch, 12 tennis courts and 3 netball courts, creating a diverse and integrated sporting facility capable of supporting a wide range of community and competitive sporting activities.

Sports Design Group provided specialist sports design and documentation services, ensuring the new facilities were appropriately integrated within the existing precinct and designed to support long-term functionality, safety and community use.

 As part of the $53.5 million upgrade to South Australia's “Home of Football”, Sports Design Group was engaged to provide specialist sports surface and civil design services for the redevelopment.

SDG designed a new state-of-the-art drainage system to improve the performance and resilience of the playing surface, together with a new growing medium profile designed to support a high-quality natural turf surface.

The project also incorporated FIFA-approved synthetic turf sideline edging, providing dedicated areas for player warm-ups while maintaining the performance and presentation requirements of the main playing surface.

The works demonstrate Sports Design Group's capability in delivering high-performance sports surfaces and supporting infrastructure within major sporting precinct developments, with a focus on drainage, growing medium, turf performance and international sporting requirements.

Carwatha College in Melbourne's east now boasts one of Australia's most environmentally friendly synthetic soccer fields.

Whilst this project had its challenges, there was nothing too difficult for our experienced project team. 

From dealing with unidentified authority services which delayed the project by 8 months, to managing saturated ground conditions, our expert team exceed all project specification requirements at every stage.

Sports Design Group was engaged to undertake the design and documentation of two acrylic-surfaced netball courts, incorporating dedicated sports lighting to both courts to support training, competition and extended community use.

The project also included the design of custom player shelters and spectator seating, creating a functional and visually cohesive environment for players, officials and spectators.

Particular attention was given to the integration of the courts, player facilities and spectator areas to create a high-quality community sporting environment that balances functionality, durability, accessibility and presentation.

The project was recognised at the 2025 SAPIA Awards, receiving the Award for Design – Sports Courts, acknowledging the quality and innovation of the sports court design and overall project outcome.

The award reinforces Sports Design Group's commitment to delivering high-quality, practical and award-winning sports infrastructure for the community.

Sports Design Group was engaged as Project Manager to support the Club through the reconstruction of four synthetic tennis courts, providing specialist project management and construction support throughout the delivery process.

The project involved the complete reconstruction of the existing courts, including new synthetic playing surfaces, tennis nets, tree root barriers, retaining walls and drainage infrastructure.

The works were carefully coordinated to address existing site constraints and improve the long-term performance and durability of the tennis facilities, while managing the interface between the courts, surrounding vegetation and supporting infrastructure.

SDG provided ongoing project management support throughout the reconstruction, including contractor coordination, site inspections, progress meetings, technical advice and construction oversight.

The project demonstrates Sports Design Group's ability to provide hands-on project management and construction support for complex sports facility upgrades, ensuring the Club was supported throughout the reconstruction process.

Sports Design Group was responsible for the design and detailed documentation of two tennis courts and a dedicated basketball court, creating a flexible community sporting facility capable of supporting a range of activities.

The facility was designed with multi-purpose use in mind, providing space and infrastructure to accommodate basketball, pickleball and small-sided recreational games.

All courts incorporate a high-quality acrylic sports surface designed in accordance with relevant Tennis Australia standards, providing a durable and consistent playing surface suitable for multiple sporting applications.

The project demonstrates Sports Design Group’s ability to deliver flexible, multi-use sporting facilities that maximise community access and provide adaptable spaces capable of supporting a variety of sports and recreational activities.