New Zealand Football and Southern Football have been awarded a silver award at the inaugural FIFA Forward Awards for member associations in Oceania, in recognition of the work done to establish the all-weather turf facilities at Logan Park in Ōtepoti Dunedin.

The FIFA Forward Awards recognise work across the globe to develop infrastructure projectsthat benefit the game, celebrating success and promoting knowledge-sharing within the football community.

Opened in 2019, the Logan Park Turf project was the result of a shared vision and long-term collaboration between Dunedin City Council, New Zealand Football, the New Zealand Football Foundation, Southern Football, key grant funders and other community stakeholders.

The development delivered two all-weather artificial football pitches and a cricket wicket, providing vital infrastructure to support year-round football in the region.

New Zealand Football and Southern Football received the silver award for the work done in establishing the facility, which was first envisioned over 12 years ago as a concept and legacy of the city hosting games during the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2015 at the then-new Forsyth Barr Stadium.

The multi-field, all-weather complex has proven to be a huge asset to the city, both at the top level of the domestic game, as home to National League Championship side Southern United, and at all levels of community football.

New Zealand Football CEO Andrew Pragnell congratulated Southern Football on their achievement, hard work and long-term vision to support the game in Dunedin:

“I want to congratulate Southern Football and everyone involved in the project to establish the Logan Park Turf, one of the top facilities in the country.

"The mahi put in by Southern Football, the staff and board, showcased a long-term vision for what was needed to transform football in the city.

"Alongside this, being a host city for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 has enabled football to continue to invest in Dunedin, providing much-needed facilities which are under constant pressure due to the game’s enormous growth.

"Access to top-class facilities is a challenge across the game in Aotearoa, so it’s important to recognise when progress is made, and that’s exactly what FIFA has done with this award.”

Southern Football CEO Dougal McGowan said:

“This award is incredible recognition of the foresight, vision and collaboration behind this project. Alone, this could never have happened.

“Through strong partnerships and bold decision-making, we’ve been able to bring an idea first imagined in 2012 to life.

“To now see football played on these pitches every week is incredibly satisfying, and a tribute to everyone who believed in this dream.

“The Logan Park Turf project is a shining example of the South’s ‘can-do’ attitude, proof of what’s possible through shared vision and collaboration.

“The success of the project was driven by the collective belief and determination of key individuals and organisations, including the Southern Football board, Paul Orders from DCC, and leadership from DVML, notably Darren Burden, David Davies and Guy Hedderwick.“Past Southern Football CEOs Bill Chisholm and Chris Wright, the latter a key driver of the project, played vital roles, along with the late Sir Eion Edgar, whose support was instrumental.

“We are tremendously proud of what’s been achieved. The turf is used every day of every week, not just by footballers, but by the wider community who benefit from this outstanding facility.”

The gold award was given to the Vanuatu Football Federation in recognition of the development of the VFF Freshwater Stadium, the new facility in Port Vila which hosted the 2024 Men’s Nations Cup, won by the All Whites.

ENDS

Article added: Thursday 26 June 2025