Grounds

Grandstands

• Construction of 3 Modular style GRANDSTANDS for seating for approximately 500 spectators, plus a media box.
• Received a NSW Sport and Recreation dollar for dollar grant of $7,000.
• Was built completely by Club volunteers. Club contributed approximately $20,000.
• Funded: HOFC and NSW Sport and Recreation

Elevated Hill

• Construction of an elevated hill area on the northern boundary along Darling Street.
• Chitter was donated by BHP.
• Grass was also placed on the hill.
• Club volunteers completed the works.
• Funded: HOFC

Ground Beautification

• Planting of over 40 trees along the boundary fence of the Oval.
• Club volunteer planted the trees.
• Funded: HOFC

Replacement of old timber fence along Darling and Hassall Street and the installation of new perimeter weld mesh fencing around the Oval.

• Completed and funded by club volunteers.
• Club purchased all the fencing at an approximate cost of $7,000
• Funded: HOFC

Replacement of old, dangerous lighting.

• Installed 4 X 20 metre galvanised light poles with 6 lights on each pole, and associated underground wiring.
• Received a NSW SPORT AND RECREATION DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR GRANT OF $15,000.
• Were installed completely by Club volunteers.
• Club contributed approximately $25,000.
• Funded: HOFC and NSW Sport and Recreation

Canteen extension

• NCC applied for and was successful in a NSW SPORT AND RECREATION DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR GRANT of $20,000 to extend the canteen and put in place a handicap toilet.
• The extension was completed by the NCC, but unfortunately there were insufficient funds to fit out the canteen.
• The club finished that work, approximately $6,500, all by Club volunteers, which included installation of benches, sinks, refrigerators, gas/oven etc.
• Funded: HOFC and NSW Sport and Recreation

Installation of drainage on main playing field at Darling Street Oval.

• With the assistance of NCC SPORTS PARTNERSHIP GRANT of $4,500 and removal of turf cricket pitch.
• Club provided the volunteers and equipment, material was provided by the NCC.
• Work was completed under the direction of Mr Brian Burns, from the NCC.
• Funded: HOFC and the Newcastle City Council

Cricket Pitch Moved

• A three way partnership between the NCC, Newcastle Junior Cricket Association and HOFC saw the dangerous turf cricket pitch that was on the main playing field replaced by a synthetic pitch in between the main ground and training ground.
• NCC dug out and removed the old pitch.
• HOFC paid for the new concrete slab.
• Newcastle Junior Cricket Association paid for the new synthetic pitch.
• Cost to the club, approximately $4,000.
• Funded: HOFC and NSW Sport and Recreation

Roo ball ground

• With the number of teams expanding, the club applied to the NCC to convert the little used car park on the western boundary of Hassall Street into a mini- roo ball ground for playing and training for our under 6 to under 10 teams.
• We received a NCC Sports Partnership Grant of $4,500. Work completed by Club volunteers.
• Funded: HOFC and NSW Sport and Recreation

Fencing & Lighting

• Re- alignment of Grandstand, fencing around the roo- ball ground plus a single pole with floodlighting was completed with a NSW Sport and Recreation dollar for dollar grant of $12,770.
• Work was completed by Club volunteers.
• Funded: HOFC and NSW Sport and Recreation

Players race

• NCC Sports Partnership Dollar for Dollar Grant of $3,000 for the construction of new safety fencing around the player’s and referees race.
• Club contributed $3,000
• Funded: HOFC and the Newcastle City Council

Dressing Rooms

• The existing dressing rooms at Darling Street Oval were not able to accommodate a stretcher through the doorways. After unsuccessful approaches to the NCC for an upgrade, the club decided as a matter of urgency that we would complete the extension ourselves.
• After planning approval from the NCC, the work was completed, increasing the size of the home shed, and allowing a stretcher to take an injured player in.
• Was built completely by Club volunteers. Club completed the extension at a cost of $10,000.
• Funded: HOFC

Ground seating

• Extra new steel seating for was constructed in front of the amenities for approximately $2,500 by club volunteers.
• Funded: HOFC

Ground fencing

• New perimeter safety fencing was built around Darling Street Oval with a NSW Sport and Recreation dollar for dollar grant of $20,000.
• The club erected the fencing with club volunteer completing the task.
• Funded: HOFC and NSW Sport and Recreation

Ground irrigation system

• The club applied and received a grant of $33,380 to put in place an automatic irrigation system at Darling Street Oval courtesy of a NSW Government’s Community Building Partnership ( CBP) program.
• Purchased the two 30,00 litre tanks and completed the electrical work with club volunteers. Cost for the tanks, $7,000.
• Funded: HOFC and NSW Government

Hamilton Olympic has plans to redevelop the Darling Street grounds and turn them into a premier footballing facility. To view the current redevelopment plans and process, head to the redevelopment page here.