Plans to upgrade the ILT Football Turf at Turnbull Thomson Park are set to deliver wide-ranging benefits for Southland, extending well beyond football.

Southland Football has secured $560,000 in funding—thanks to contributions from the ILT Foundation, Invercargill Licensing Trust, Community Trust Southland, Rio Tinto NZAS, Murihiku Rūnaka Community Development Fund, and its own reserves—towards the $1.08 million project. A final funding application is still pending.

The new Tiger Turf Pure PT surface will be faster, softer, and more environmentally friendly, with no rubber infill. It’s designed to host multiple games daily and reduce injury risk through advanced technology.

Southland Football Board Chair Nick Hamlin says the turf will be a shared asset.

“The turf is really a community asset—yes, it’s integral to football and the hundreds of players that get on it some weeks. But it’s also got huge value for other sports too and we’re really positive about working collaboratively with a range of organisations to ensure this new turf is well utilised by more than just football,” he said.

Interest in using the facility has already come from rugby union, rugby league, and marching groups. The upgrade will also allow Southland teams currently competing in Dunedin to host games locally, boosting regional engagement.

Football participation is surging, with over 4,220 registered players this year. Southland Football operations and development manager Iain Walker says the new turf is a vital step forward.

Southland Football operations and development manager Iain Walker says it is an exciting time for the sport.

“There is really just so much good news coming from within football and this new turf supports all of that, and allows us to keep growing, keep advancing and keep collaborating,” he said.

“We’d really like to acknowledge the generosity of our community funders in all of this… that speaks volumes and we’re very grateful.”

The turf upgrade aligns with Invercargill City Council’s Long Term Plan, which includes improvements to parking and park access at Turnbull Thomson Park.