Celebrating past and future of sport

Sport

One hundred years ago, the Governor of South Australia opened the University's first sporting grounds and facilities.

The University Oval, the pavilion (known today as the grandstand) and boat shed are icons of the past century of sporting achievement, with many of the University's greatest sportsmen and women having used these facilities.

"Sport is an important part of campus life at the University," said Mike Daws, Executive Officer of the Adelaide University Sports Association.

"While the University has acquired other sporting grounds and facilities over the years, these original facilities continue to play a major role in the physical health of students, staff and graduates, and in creating a sense of collegiality," he said.

The University Oval, the pavilion and boat shed were officially opened on 11 July 1910 by the then Governor, Sir Day Bosanquet. The opening was followed by a game of lacrosse on the Uni Oval between teams from the universities of Adelaide and Melbourne.

Thirteen benefactors, including some of the great names in the University's history, donated £100 each to pay for the new pavilion, while a generous contribution of £750 from Mr Robert Barr Smith led to the construction of the boat shed. The Adelaide City Council leases the grounds to the University.

The University Oval now features state-of-the-art watering systems aimed at reducing water use, while the pavilion has undergone a major $750,000 renovation over the past year.

"As with the original facilities, the renovation of the grandstand has been made possible thanks to many individual benefactors, as well as significant funding from the University," Mr Daws said.

The boat shed is also undergoing renovation.

The Sports Association will this month host an event to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the opening of these facilities.

"While celebrating the past, the Sports Association will also use this event as an opportunity to look towards the future. We will launch our Sports Facility Plan, which is our blueprint for the future of University sports grounds and facilities for the next 10 years."

www.adelaide.edu.au/sports