Gladesville Ravens At Bedlam Bay Park
Parramatta River Regional Park at Bedlam Bay may have a chequered past but there is now a clear path ahead with a plan of management in place which will benefit the football community.
Member for Lane Cove the Hon. Anthony Roberts announced the National Parks and Wildlife Service plan would guide the management of the park for the next ten years; “I’m passionate about sport but I’m particularly passionate about young women in sport.
“This is a jewel on the harbour and to achieve an outcome where football is here at this jewel and to continue to grow and develop this is great news for football and rest assured I will continue to be a great supporter and advocate.” Mr Roberts said.
Bordered by the former Gladesville Hospital for the mentally ill and Parramatta River, the picturesque park will retain its natural and cultural features while becoming more accessible to the public.
It ushers in a new era for the 1300 active members of the Gladesville Ravens Sports Club after years of working with the local state member and Hunters Hill Council to achieve this outcome; “I fell in love with the ground and said this is where we want to be. It provides ample opportunity for the girls and gives them a real sense of being,” Director of Women’s Football Rob Barbagallo said.
North Western Sydney Women’s Football Technical Director Sandra Awondatu can see benefits beyond one club; “During Tuesday and Thursday I think it will be very busy with the Ravens training but there’s a Monday, a Wednesday and a Friday and if we can help each other it’s good for the sport.”
The plan clears the way for further improvements to the park, including lighting so it can be used at night and an amenities block which would be a facility available to not only the football community but everyone who uses the grounds.
Football NSW Head of Facilities Development Ricardo Piccioni praised the release of the plan of management; “Many children and their families are the beneficiaries of this announcement which opens the door for Gladesville Ravens Sports Club to progress with the improvement of football facilities at Bedlam Bay Park.
“A big thanks goes from us and the whole of the football family to Anthony Roberts for this tremendous win for the local community,” Mr Piccioni said.
-By Mark Chester
