Thebarton Oval Precinct update

At Bendigo Bank, we’re committed to taking care of our business customers, whatever size they are or stage of growth they’re at.

Our relationship style of banking is central to our approach, whether we’re dealing with small business owners or major organisations.

One large-scale initiative we’re involved with is the redevelopment of the Thebarton Oval Precinct for the Adelaide Football Club.

It is a significant project in both scale and legacy for the Club, and it showcases how successful our relationship-led banking can be in driving substantial commercial outcomes.

We recently facilitated a Q & A session with Patrick Clifton, the COO of the Adelaide Football Club, and Steve Fairhurst, our SA Regional Manager, about the Thebarton Oval Precinct.

Part 1 with responses from Patrick Clifton, Chief Operating Officer, Adelaide Football Club

1.The scale

Steve Fairhurst, Bendigo Bank:

“Thebarton is a massive, complex development. From an infrastructure perspective, what has been the most exciting part of seeing this state-of-the-art facility physically come to life?”

Patrick Clifton, Adelaide Football Club:

“It’s been incredible. Moving from blueprints to seeing the scale and volume of steel, concrete and glass makes you realise just how significant this is. It’s a highly complex build, but watching the precinct take shape - knowing it's going to be one of the best facilities in the country - is a massive thrill for everyone at the club.”

2. The growth of the game

Steve Fairhurst, Bendigo Bank:

“With bespoke spaces being built simultaneously for both the men's and women's elite programs, what will this mean for the future of your AFLW players?”

Patrick Clifton, Adelaide Football Club:

“It means equity, plain and simple. Our female athletes will have a world-class training environment which has all of the same facilities as the men’s program. Additionally, it provides a match day home for our AFLW team for the first time. For the next generation of girls playing local footy, seeing this level of investment proves there is a permanent, elite home waiting for them.”

3. Community at its heart

Steve Fairhurst, Bendigo Bank:

“Once the gates open, how will this precinct serve as a gathering place for South Australian Crows fans and members?”

Patrick Clifton, Adelaide Football Club:

“We envision open training sessions which fans can observe, whilst having a drink and a meal and taking in the history of the Adelaide Football Club through our integrated historical displays. Outside of the Club’s use, Thebarton Oval and the adjacent Kings Reserve will be public green spaces for the community to enjoy. We want a junior player from the suburbs to step onto this grass and feel like they belong here just as much as our AFL and AFLW stars do.”

Part 2 with responses from Steve Fairhurst, Regional Manager SA, Bendigo Bank

1. Capability and purpose

Patrick Clifton, Adelaide Football Club:

“Bendigo Bank is famous for its community focus, but you also back major commercial developments. Why is a complex project of this scale a good match for Bendigo Bank?”

Steve Fairhurst, Bendigo Bank:

“At Bendigo Bank, we believe that doing well and doing good go hand-in-hand. While we are widely recognised for our grassroots community focus, we’re also a highly capable, top-tier Australian commercial lender. By backing the Crows in building their new world-class headquarters, we’re assisting them to deliver on a key milestone in their long-term strategy. Simultaneously, this complex creates a beacon of inspiration that will energise and uplift grassroots football communities, local clubs, and aspiring players right across South Australia.”

2. The relationship approach to big projects

Patrick Clifton, Adelaide Football Club:

“Large-scale infrastructure projects have a lot of moving parts. How does Bendigo Bank's relationship-led approach help bring a complicated vision like Thebarton to life?”

Steve Fairhurst, Bendigo Bank:

“When you’re dealing with a build this large, you don't just need a transaction; you need a partner who is at the table with you. Our banking style is relationship-led. We don't just look at the spreadsheets; we get on the ground, understand the long-term vision, and work collaboratively through the complexities of the development phase. It’s about having real conversations and finding solutions together so the project keeps moving forward.”

3. The end game

Patrick Clifton, Adelaide Football Club:

“When you look around the construction site, what are you most excited to see happen on these ovals in the years to come?”

Steve Fairhurst, Bendigo Bank:

“What excites me most is seeing the historic turf of Thebarton Oval transformed into a shared space where elite sport and community truly connect. Bendigo Bank are incredibly proud to play a role in helping build a home where the AFL and AFLW squads train side-by-side with equal, world-class facilities. But just as exciting is the thought of seeing local families walking through the gates, kids kicking a footy on the community ovals, and fans sharing a coffee at the café. This isn’t just a high-performance centre; this is an investment in South Australian communities and helping the next generation realise their dreams.”

The Thebarton Oval Precinct demonstrates how closely we work with our partners to bring sizable projects to life.

If you have any questions about how we can help you with any funding or banking needs for your business, please contact your Business Relationship Manager and they’ll be very happy to assist.