MEDIA RELEASE
New Sports Lighting Shines a Bright Future for Riverway JCU Football Club
Townsville, QLD – 9 December 2025
Federal Member for Herbert Phillip Thompson OAM MP has welcomed the installation of new LED sports lighting at Riverway JCU Football Club’s home ground, Charles Moroney Park in Kelso, made possible through the Australian Government’s Play Our Way program.
The project, supported by $235,418 in Federal funding and a $77,000 co-contribution from Football Queensland, has delivered modern LED lighting that will provide safe, equitable access for girls and women to train and compete at night.
Mr Thompson said the investment is about more than infrastructure—it’s about opportunity.
“This upgrade means Riverway Football Club can continue to grow participation, especially among girls and women, by providing a safe and welcoming environment to play football. It’s fantastic to see local clubs like Riverway leading the way in building stronger, healthier communities,” Mr Thompson said.
Riverway JCU Football Club has grown from just 60 members in 2019 to 374 players in 2025, including 110 female players. The club’s strategic plan aims to achieve a 50/50 gender balance by 2032, in line with Football Australia and Football Queensland’s national goals.
Riverway JCU Football Club President Daniel Kennedy welcomed the announcement:
“These lights will allow us to grow the sport in this area. We have done significant development to grow our membership of women and young girls. We will play host to our first game under the new lights on 24 January 2026 when we take on Redlynch Football Club from Cairns.”
The new lights will be officially showcased during those preseason matches, featuring girls, women, boys, and men’s teams.
The new lights will be officially showcased on Saturday 24 January 2026, when Riverway hosts preseason matches against Redlynch Strikers United Football Club, featuring girls, women, boys, and men’s teams.
Mr Thompson visited the club on Tuesday 9 December 2025 to meet players, tour the upgraded facilities, and join a photo opportunity as the lights are switched on for the first time.
