Wednesday, 17 December 2025
Member for Northern Tablelands Brendan Moylan flicked the switch on new lighting at the University of New England’s Bellevue Oval with nearly half a million dollars invested to keep local sporting clubs active, safe and connected.
Mr Moylan joined representatives from UNE Life, Armidale District Cricket Association, and the New England Nomads Australian Rules Football Club on Tuesday night to see the new lights switched on.
The $425,000 grant to install the lights around the ground came from the NSW Government’s Level the Playing Field’s program which is aimed at ensuring women and girls have access to safe and inclusive sport and recreation facilities.
“Bellevue Oval is used year-round for cricket and Australian Rules Football training and competitions,” Mr Moylan said.
“Before the installation of the new lights, the oval was served by a single light which covered a small portion of the oval, limiting its use.
“In winter, Armidale gets very dark, very quickly which makes evening training sessions difficult and risky.
“Brighter, modern lighting will create a safer, more visible space around the ground, helping encourage greater participation, especially among women and girls.”
UNE Life was behind the successful grant application and chief executive officer Kim Lawrence said the clubs who use the ground are already looking at how they can capitalise on the improved facilities.
“The fact that clubs like the New England Nomads AFL are already planning twilight women’s games highlights the immediate and long-term benefits of this investment,” she said.
“This project shows the power of collaboration between NSW Office of Sport, SportUNE, UNE, state sporting organisations and local clubs and associations.
“The Level the Playing Field grant has delivered an upgrade that will benefit the entire sporting community for years to come.”
Bellevue Oval is the home ground for the New England Nomads in the AFL North West competition.
Nomads president Adrian Walsh said making improvements, like better lighting, to the facility has been a long-term goal.
“The lights are a wonderful addition to the sporting experience here,” he said.
“We have wanted this for a long, long time after years of training in the dark.
“It is very important, particularly for women, safety and making people feel welcome.
“It is also a peace of mind for players in having the confidence at training to go for the ball and being able to see where they are aiming.
“We are looking forward to training and attracting more players to the Nomads.”
Armidale District Cricket Association use the ground for training and matches throughout the summer months.
Association president Mike Porter praised all the upgrades at Bellevue Oval, including the new steel boundary fence.
“Upgrading of the whole facility is a hell of a plus as far as we’re concerned,” he said.
“Lights are part of that, the fence as part of it. It is fantastic for sporting clubs in Armidale.”
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Photo caption: Armidale District Cricket Association president Mike Porter, Armidale City UNE’s Chris Wild, Sport UNE manager Mitch Shaw, New England Nomads president Adrian Walsh, Member for Northern Tablelands Brendan Moylan, and UNE Life chief executive officer Kim Lawrence under the new lights at Bellevue Oval.