ORS Facilities - Women's Memorial Playing Fields

General information on facility
The concept of a Women’s Memorial Playing Fields emanated from the concern of sporting women for the lack of playing areas. From this concern the South Australian Women’s Amateur Sports Council was formed.

The Premier the Hon Tom Playford set aside 20 acres of reserve land on the corner of Shepherds Hill Road and Ayliffes Road, St Marys for a centre for women’s sport.

From 1953-55 the fields progressed and prospered. In 1956 to honour those who had paid the supreme sacrifice, a memorial drinking fountain was erected, and the grounds as a whole were dedicated to the South Australia Servicewomen who served in World Wars I & II by the Reverend Leslie Gunn. A ceremony remembering the nurses and other women in the services is held each February.

The work of early Trust members is commemorated in the naming of the Helen Black oval, the Gordon Brown oval and the May Mills Pavilion.

The Women’s Memorial Playing fields are the only dedicated women’s memorial of this calibre in Australia.

In 2008 the Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing, as owner of the land, granted a 21-year lease to the South Australian Cricket Association. The South Australian Cricket Association now manages and maintains the fields and has long term plans for the upgrade and development of the facility. Women's cricket, lacrosse, hockey, tennis and soccer all continue to be played at the fields.

Specifications/Amenities

Pavilion

• assemble and lounge area
• kitchen and servery
• male and female toilets/change rooms/one set of showers

Helen Black Oval

• approximately 160m - 100m

Gordon Brown Oval

• approximately 180m - 120m

ISAS Oval

• approximately 150m - 75m

Tennis Courts and Clubrooms

• 8 tennis courts
• open lounge area
• kitchen
• male/female toilets and showers
• verandah
• storage area
• disabled access ramp

Women's Memorial Playing Fields Contact
Site address: Cnr Shepherds Hill Road and Ayliffes Road, St Marys
Postal address: South Australian Cricket Association, Cricket Department, Adelaide Oval, North Adelaide, SA 5006
Phone: +61 8 8300 3800
Fax : +61 8 8300 3869
Email address: lburdett@saca.com.au