What’s happening?
Young players at Capalaba Warriors Junior Rugby League Football Club are benefiting from upgraded lighting at John Fredericks Park.
Redland City Council funded the project, which included new steel poles and LED lights on field two.
The improved lighting gives the club a safer and more reliable space for training, games and community events.
It also allows teams to use the field for longer periods during darker winter afternoons and evenings.
Why it matters?
Redland City Acting Mayor Julie Talty said the upgrade would support young players across both female and male teams.
“Council is proud to fund infrastructure projects that deliver real outcomes for local sporting clubs, the community, and our young people,” she said.
“This lighting is a big win for everyone involved in the Capalaba Warriors club and will ensure players have access to high-quality, reliable and safe facilities for practise and play. “The Warriors cater for a range of age groups across multiple divisions, so we know the improved lighting will make a big difference for the club and other users of the ground.”
The club can now schedule more training sessions after school and work, while improving conditions for players and volunteers.
Local Impact
Division 8 Councillor Tracey Huges said the lighting upgrade would help the club manage future growth.
“The Warriors continue to enjoy great success on and off the field and I’m pleased that Council has invested in these very important lighting improvements,” she said. “This is a great reward for the fantastic club committee members, all of whom are dedicated to helping our local junior footy players achieve their goals and reach their full potential.”
Cr Huges said the new lights would also provide greater flexibility during the rugby league season.
“The LED lighting will make a huge difference for the club, allowing for extended playing hours and creating an environment where young rugby league players can thrive and have fun,” she said. “Importantly, the improved energy efficiency provided by LED lighting will also assist the club with its electricity bills.”
The lower energy use may help reduce running costs while keeping the field available for more training and games.
By the Numbers
- Field two received new steel poles and upgraded LED lighting for training, games and club events.
- Division 8 includes John Fredericks Park, where the upgraded field is used by the Capalaba Warriors.
- Three other sports are included in Council’s wider lighting works, covering cricket, baseball and softball venues.
Zoom In
Reliable lighting is especially important for young players who train after school and study commitments.
“The added flexibility provided by reliable lighting is important for a winter sport such as rugby league, as it means junior players can participate after their school and study commitments,” Cr Huges said. “I’m sure the high-quality lighting will also be enjoyed by other clubs visiting our fantastic rugby league facilities at John Fredericks Park.”
Capalaba Warriors president Tanya Bonney said the project had been warmly welcomed across the club.
“Our players, coaches, managers, volunteers and committee are thrilled with this upgrade,” she said. “The improved lighting is a major boost to our facilities and means we can better support our growing community of rugby league families.
“We thank Council and everyone else involved in the project for supporting the club and giving our junior footy players every chance to succeed.”
Zoom Out
The Capalaba project forms part of a wider sports lighting program across the Redlands Coast.
“This is just one of several sports field lighting projects currently being rolled out across the city, with Council also providing funding towards the delivery of new and upgraded LED lighting at cricket, baseball, and softball venues,” Cr Talty said.
The wider program aims to improve safety, increase field use and support clubs as participation grows.
“It will also ensure the Warriors are well placed to welcome more families to the club as participation in rugby league increases into the future,” Cr Talty said.
What To Look For Next?
The improved lighting gives the Warriors more capacity to welcome new players and schedule extra training sessions.
It may also help more young players continue developing through the club’s junior pathways.
“I’m pleased to see the Warriors players already enjoying the benefits of these improvements and hope it will assist the club with developing the next Max Plath, who played junior football in Capalaba and is now representing Queensland at the elite level,” Cr Talty said.
As participation grows, the upgraded field will support more players, families, volunteers and visiting teams.
