Bairnsdale City Oval will be the epicentre for Gippsland League football and netball finals this Sunday, and central to the action is the playing surface.

Council’s Turf Maintenance Leading Hand, Brad Marsden, is helping lift the standard of the surface. And it is looking a picture for the first day of spring and finals footy.

Brad said it had been a difficult winter for turf management across the shire, however the oval had responded well to some warmer weather in the past fortnight and was finals ready.

“We have made considerable investment in the management of our sporting ovals across the shire, including fit-for-purpose equipment and specialised turf management,” Brad said.

Bairnsdale Football Netball Club President Michael Mann said he believed it was about 40 years since Bairnsdale City Oval had hosted major league finals.

“Everyone at the Bairnsdale and other clubs in the league have noticed the improvement in the playing surface thanks to Council’s involvement and Brad’s passion and dedication,” Michael said.

“This combined with the recently redeveloped Peppercorn Park, improvements to changeroom facilities, coaches’ boxes and the netball court has the City Oval very well placed to host high level sport year-round,” Michael said.

“Being able to draw high-level sporting events to East Gippsland is on the back of improved facilities. It is not just great for the sporting community, but also local businesses.”

A crowd of about 2,000 people is likely on Sunday – at least double a home and away fixture – and many visiting players and families will stay overnight and support local eateries.

“From everyone at the Redlegs, we thank Brad and the Council team for the continued improvement in grounds and facilities and we look forward to welcoming everyone to Bairnsdale this weekend.”

Brad said it was a team effort.

“The club, committee of management and Council have put in considerable effort to have the City Oval in the frame to host such events. The Gippsland League scheduling Sunday’s elimination finals at the City Oval is testament to that long-term planning and sustained effort.”

Eight of the 10 major league clubs from Wonthaggi and Leongatha, throughout the Latrobe Valley and our neighbours in Sale and Maffra will descend on the City Oval. They will compete across four grades of football (six different clubs) and six grades of netball (eight different clubs). Bairnsdale is represented by its “A” grade netballers and under 16 footballers.

‍If you’re keen to get along this Sunday, key times are:‍

• 9am – football and netballmatches start, including Bairnsdale U16 v Wonthaggi football.
• 2.20pm - senior football,Wonthaggi v Sale.
• 2.35pm - “A” grade netball,Bairnsdale v Traralgon.

And for the East Gippsland Football Netball League followers, Council has the Lindenow Recreation Reserve oval looking a picture for preliminary final day on Saturday. The EGFNL will play its grand finals on Saturday 7 September at the City Oval.

Good luck to all leagues, clubs, teams and players this finals season.

Michael Mann (Bairnsdale Football Netball Club President) and Brad Marsden (Council’s Turf Maintenance Leading Hand) inspect the City Oval playing surface ahead of Gippsland League elimination finals this Sunday.

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