Macedonia Park, Perth Explained

Stadium Name:Macedonia Park
Location:273 Albert Street, Balcatta
Coordinates:-31.8884°N 115.822°W
Renovated:1985
Surface:Grass
Tenants:Stirling Macedonia FC (1986–)
Perth Kangaroos IFC (1994)
Perth Glory FC (A-League Men) (2022–2023)
Perth Glory FC (A-League Women) (2021–2024)
Capacity:5,000[1]
(4,500 for A-League matches)

Macedonia Park is a multi-use stadium in Perth, Western Australia. It is mainly used for soccer and is the home ground for Stirling Macedonia. The stadium has a capacity of 5,000 people,[2] however capacity will be capped at 4,500 for the 2022–23 A-League season.

The ground was developed by the Macedonian Community of Western Australia in the mid-1980s after receiving federal government grants from the Hawke government. The stadium was built in conjunction with adjoining community facilities.[3] [4]

Macedonia Park was officially opened in 1986, with Stirling Macedonia hosting Adelaide City in the first round of the 1986 NSL Cup in front of a crowd of 5,000.[5] [6] [7]

In 1994, Perth Kangaroos IFC played matches during the first half of the 1994 FAS Premier League season at Macedonia Park, before financial difficulties and poor crowds forced the club to move to Dorrien Gardens.[8]

In 2012, the stadium received an upgrade worth $1.1 million was funded by the Gillard government, including an upgrade of the pitch and lighting.[9] When Stirling Lions were drawn against Melbourne Victory in the 2014 FFA Cup, the lighting was deemed to be inadequate and the match was moved to the WA Athletics Stadium with Perth Oval unavailable due to pitch repairs.[10]

Macedonia Park was host to Perth Glory's only home game during the 2021–22 A-League Women season.[11]

In September 2022, the ground was announced as the home venue for the Perth Glory men's team for 10 of the 13 home games of the 2022–23 A-League Men season, due to ongoing redevelopment work of Perth Oval, their usual home ground.[12] Additionally, the ground will be the women's team home ground for the full A-League Women season.[13]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Macedonia Park . Austadiums . 2 October 2022.
  2. News: Lewis . David . 15 July 2014 . Lions coach aims to silence roar . The World Game . 2021-12-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140718032842/http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/article/2014/07/15/lions-coach-aims-silence-roar . 18 July 2014.
  3. News: Macedonia Park . Vesnik . IX . 27 . Perth. 1 December 1985 . 17 September 2022 . 8 . National Library of Australia.
  4. News: Macedonia Park Balcatta. Vesnik. 7 . 19 . Perth . 1 April 1983 . 17 September 2022 . 14 . National Library of Australia.
  5. News: History . en-US . Stirling Lions Soccer Club. 2022-09-17.
  6. News: Official Opening of the Macedonian Sporting Complex. Vesnik. X . 28 . Perth . 1 June 1986 . 17 September 2022 . 1, 2, 15 . National Library of Australia.
  7. Web site: 1986 National League Cup Results . 2022-09-17 . OzFootball.
  8. News: Brett. Klucznik. Perth Kangaroos : A History . footballwa.net . 2022-09-17.
  9. News: 1 May 2012 . Macedonia Park renewal . 50 . Stirling Times.
  10. News: Quartermaine . Braden . 17 August 2014 . Miffed at pitch switch . 49 . The Sunday Times. Perth.
  11. Web site: Gilby . Ben . 17 April 2022 . Rigby reflects on A-League season like no other at Glory . 2022-09-17 . The Women's Game.
  12. Web site: Morgan. Gareth. 2022-09-21 . A stadium update from CEO Anthony Radich . 2022-09-21 . Perth Glory FC.
  13. Web site: 2022-09-14 . 'Goal Rush' style show and free junior passes put fans at heart of Liberty A-League season . 2022-09-21 . Keepup. Australian Professional Leagues.