L-R: Liz McKeon (Councillor – Representing Minister for Sport Stephen Kamper), Robert Scott (STFA President), Aaron Grant (Director Aaron Grant Electrical), Wendy Tuckerman (Local Member for Goulburn), Daniel Strickland (Councillor), Jake Bolin (STFA Director), Jason Broadbent (STFA Director), Nick Ritchie (STFA Director).
ABSENT: Kayla Webb (STFA Female Coordinator), Craig Norris (STFA Director), Nicholas D’Amore (STFA Performance Manager).
The Southern Tablelands Football Association (STFA) officially opened its new LED lighting system at Cookbundoon Sporting Complex on Saturday, 26 July. The $872,744 project, funded through the NSW Government’s Level the Playing Field program, will allow extended playing hours, safer conditions, and greater access to high-quality training and tournaments across the region. The new lights have already made a big impact during the 2025 season, but Saturday marked the official celebration of this milestone achievement.
More than 100 teams across junior and senior competitions play at Cookbundoon each weekend, making it one of the busiest community sports facilities in the region. On Saturday, Cookbundoon highlighted the event by playing a Youth Girls match at 4pm finishing in the twilight of the evening and capped off with an All Age Women’s match that featured last year’s two grand finalists.
Kayla Webb, the STFA Female Coordinator was pleased to see the girls getting the spotlight on such a milestone event.
“To have two female games highlight the official opening of the Lighting project at Cookbundoon was remarkable. Both matches were a great spectacle, the Youth girls loved the opportunity to play under lights in front of a big crowd, as well as getting to be a part of such an event.”
“Cookbundoon with these lights installed will have the opportunity to host higher level football in town in the future, with flexibility in scheduling a highly sought after condition on specific tournaments.”
The official opening was also a chance to acknowledge the many partners behind the project. The Minister of Sport, the Hon. Stephen Kamper for his support with the application. Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman supporting the grant application, and Goulburn Mulwaree Council assisting with landowner consent and project logistics throughout.
In the official presentation, STFA President Robert Scott spoke of the importance of upgrades to the facility, helping to provide more inclusive and flexible options for all competitions. Before passing onto Liz McKeon to speak on behalf of the Minister of Sport Stephen Kamper.
“This important project, Light Up Cookbundoon, was made possible through the NSW Government’s Level the Playing Field Program, which has committed up to $30 million to upgrade sporting facilities across the state. STFA & Cookbundoon received $872,744 under this program to install brand-new LED lighting on Fields 1, 2 and 3 and complete a power upgrade for the facility.”
“This upgrade will enable flexible evening training sessions, support higher-level competitions, and create the capacity for larger regional tournaments here at Cookbundoon. Most importantly, these upgrades benefit everyone—players, coaches, referees, volunteers, and spectators of all ages—and encourage broader community participation, especially among women and girls.”
“It gives Southern Tablelands Football Association the tools to better cater to our growing football community with targeted events and opportunities for all.” Mrs McKeon said in her speech on behalf of Stephen.
The STFA acknowledges Stephen’s support of the application, and thanks him and his office for allowing Liz to represent him on the night.
Wendy Tuckerman provided her support for the application and was proud to see the lights in full effect. Wendy spoke of the importance of community sport in her speech and acknowledged the work of the STFA board to win the grant and the local contractors for their hard work.
“I’m proud to see this upgrade delivered, I know how hard STFA has worked to secure this grant and lighting is a game changer. Only 26 projects were successful from 212 applications to the $30 million Level the Playing Field fund, making this win for Goulburn even more significant,” Mrs Tuckerman said.
The STFA would like to thank Wendy for her ongoing support of our facility and projects, and appreciate her time spent with us on the evening.
Robert extended the STFA’s sincere thanks to local contractors Aaron Grant Electrical, Coopers Earthmoving, ARW, Complete Power and Hollingworth Cranes, who contributed their expertise, with high-quality, trusted work being central to the project’s success.
Robert also passed on thanks and acknowledgment to the Goulburn Mulwaree Council and their ongoing support throughout the project from the draft stages through to the final stages of the project. Also thanking Councillors Daniel Strickland & Liz McKeon for attending the evening.
The final acknowledgment on the evening was for the STFA Board for the ongoing efforts with the lights now they are up and running. Noting the efforts of Jason Broadbent with the grant application process. A mountain of work across a two month period was put in preparing the application, obtaining documentation to support the need for this upgrade and meeting with Council & contractors to ensure there were no missing pieces.
“The hard work and long nights spent on the application was well worth it now seeing the full benefits of the lights in use each week. I couldn’t be happier with the result getting four fields lit up and a power upgrade that will cater for any future upgrades at the facility.” Mr Broadbent said.
With the power upgrade & lights on Field 1, 2 and 3 completed, all that remains is the final variation where Field 4 will be lit up as well. This project is expected to be fully finished by the end of September.