Pennant Hills Oval now a fitting football venue
The year 2016 will go down as a special one for Pennant Hills FC, a proud and passionate club who ply their trade in the Gladesville Hornsby Football Association.
‘Penno’, as the club is affectionately known, are celebrating their 60th anniversary year in existence, and what a way to remember this colossal year by launching a brand new, state of the art synthetic football pitch.
This achievement has by no means happened overnight, as is the case with many things in football in Australia, it was derived via the persistence and resilience of many individuals.
The previous grass-field was chronically overused, and restricted local players to football for just 130 days per year.
The Pennant Hills FC Committee toiled tirelessly for over a decade, eventually convincing the Hornsby Council to fund the installation of the synthetic pitch – the modern product installed by one of Australia’s most experienced companies, Turf One, deploying the innovative Field Turf ‘coolplay’ surface.
A couple of the more dedicated to the cause have been none other that the ‘Penno’ FC President and Life Member, Peter Quessy, and Vice President, Grahame Bateman.
"This is bloody fantastic!
“We have worked long and hard towards this and look at the smiles on all the faces.
“Now we have football available to these kids for 12 months of the year,” said a buoyant Quessy.
Football NSW’s Head of Communications, Facilities & Government Relations Ricardo Piccioni, was consulted early by the Club and Council, and provided guidance and advice throughout.
"This is a great result, a very good example of the Council and the Community working together, and importantly driven by the determination of the Pennant Hills Club committee – a great model of a co-operative outcome," remarked Piccioni.
Hornsby Mayor, Steve Russell, commented last Monday after the club used the ground for the first time that he was delighted with the outcome.
"The financial stability that our Council now enjoys has helped to make this fabulous facility a reality, and the first one in our Council.
“This is the result of a talented Council team working with a determined and deserving community."
The official opening launch of the ground will be held on Saturday, 2nd of April (12pm), which coincides with the first GHFA Competition round.
Hornsby Mayor Steve Russell, State Member Matt Kean, and other key officials will be present for the special event.
Before the official launch on April 2nd, Pennant Hills Park will play host to a plethora of football matches this coming Sunday, March 20th, when it welcomes Round Three of the Westfield FFA Cup.
There will be no less than four matches on Sunday, starting off with North Epping Rangers meeting PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues 3 NSW Men’s side, Hills Brumbies, at 2pm.
Glenhaven FC tackle Coogee United at 4pm, whilst Kenthurst & District FC entertain Sydney University, from the PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues 3 NSW Men’s, later that evening at 8pm.
Sandwiched in between these latter two games is the match all the locals will be out to see, commencing at 6pm, and that is between Pennant Hills FC and Prospect United, where ‘Penno’ hope to ride the exciting wave of momentum and progress in to the next round of the prestigious event.
