2026 Oval Upgrade

A Message for Our Players, Families & Supporters

What’s happening at Kinglake Memorial Reserve and what it means for our 2026 season

Kinglake Memorial Reserve oval, home of Kinglake Junior Football Club, prior to the 2026 oval upgrade works.

We’re excited to share that Kinglake Memorial Reserve will undergo major oval upgrade works in 2026, marking an important milestone for our club and the wider Kinglake sporting community.

This project represents a $1.54 million investment in local sport, funded by Sport and Recreation Victoria, Murrindindi Shire Council, and contributions from local sporting clubs. Once complete, the upgrade will deliver a safe, high-quality playing surface that our players, families, and community can be proud of for many years to come.

While there will be some short-term changes during the 2026 season, this is a hugely positive step forward for the future of football and cricket in Kinglake.

What works are happening?

The oval at Kinglake Memorial Reserve will be fully renewed to improve durability, safety, and long-term usability.

The works will include:

  • New subsurface drainage to improve wet-weather performance

  • Drought-tolerant turf better suited to local conditions

  • A new irrigation system

  • A synthetic cricket pitch

  • Synthetic turf in high-traffic areas to reduce wear

  • A new perimeter fence around the oval

These upgrades will deliver a more resilient and reliable surface for football, cricket, and community use.

When will this affect the club?

Works commence on 9 June 2026.

Until this date:

  • Training and home games will continue as normal at Kinglake Memorial Reserve

  • Clubrooms, Thursday night meals, and regular club activities will continue as usual

From 9 June 2026 onwards:

  • The oval will be unavailable for training and home matches for the remainder of the 2026 season while works are underway

Why are alternate arrangements needed?

Once construction begins, the oval will be unavailable. The oval surface and perimeter fence will be completely removed to allow for subsurface drainage works.

The club has focused on a plan that:

  • Keeps training close to home

  • Minimises midweek travel for families

  • Preserves club culture and connection

  • Allows the season to continue with minimal disruption

Training arrangements from June 2026

Midweek training will move to Kinglake West Reserve once works begin.

This location allows training to remain on the hill, avoids families needing to travel long distances midweek, and supports strong participation through winter.

Temporary lighting will be in place to support evening training, supplied by our generous new 2026 sponsor, Civil Infrastructure Group. Their support ensures our teams can continue training locally and consistently throughout the winter months.

Training times will be communicated through our regular channels.

Home game arrangements from June 2026

From the commencement of works, home games will be played at Donnybrook Oval (Olivine Estate).

To minimise travel where possible, the club has requested that the NFNL schedule as many home games as possible at Kinglake Memorial Reserve prior to 9 June 2026, before works begin.

Once relocation is required, Donnybrook Oval provides proper changerooms, a reliable playing surface, and facilities suitable for hosting junior football. We will continue working closely with Donnybrook Dragons and the league to ensure match days run smoothly and to keep travel impacts on families as low as possible.

Clubrooms and Thursday night meals

Clubrooms and Thursday night meals will continue as normal until works commence on 9 June 2026.

Access to clubrooms after this date will depend on construction staging. Any changes to meals, gatherings, or access will be communicated well in advance. Our aim is to maintain the strong social side of the club wherever possible throughout the season.

Thank you

We know changes like this can take some adjustment, and we truly appreciate the understanding and flexibility shown by our players, families, and volunteers.

This upgrade is an exciting step forward for Kinglake sport and will provide a safe, high-quality playing surface that benefits our kids and community for many years to come. Thank you to everyone who supported the advocacy that helped make this project possible.

We’ll continue to keep you updated as the season approaches.

Timeline outlining KJFC training and home game locations before and after the 9 June 2026 oval upgrade.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  • The oval surface is uneven and difficult to maintain. In winter the ground is often muddy and boggy, while in drier months it becomes very hard. The surface lacks consistent maintenance and is no longer meeting the standard expected for safe community sport.

    Local sporting clubs have undertaken significant advocacy to improve the ground, highlighting the need for a safe, high-quality playing surface. This included a community petition of approximately 200 signatures that was submitted to Council in support of upgrading the oval.

  • No. Training, home games, clubrooms, and Thursday night meals will all continue as normal until works begin.

  • Once works begin, the oval surface and perimeter fence will be completely removed to allow for subsurface drainage works. During this time the ground will not be safe or suitable for training or match play, which is why football activities need to relocate until the upgrade is complete.

  • It keeps training local, avoids midweek travel off the hill, and allows teams to continue training close to home through winter.

  • Once works begin, home games will be played at Donnybrook Oval, located in the Olivine Estate, Donnybrook.


    The ground address is 2 Cycad Avenue, Donnybrook VIC 3064.

  • Not necessarily. We have requested that the NFNL schedule as many home games as possible at Kinglake Memorial Reserve before works commence on 9 June 2026. While this is yet to be confirmed, we are hopeful that 4–5 of our 7 home games for the season can be played at Kinglake before the works begin. Any remaining home games will be played at Donnybrook once relocation is required.

  • Donnybrook Oval is approximately 35–40 minutes from Kinglake Memorial Reserve.

  • The club’s intention is to keep training days and times as consistent as possible. Any changes will be communicated early.

  • As part of the upgrade, the contractor will prepare a maintenance manual for the oval. The new design — including improved subsurface drainage, a modern irrigation system, and synthetic turf in high-traffic areas — will significantly reduce wear and damage during use.

    Ongoing maintenance of the oval remains the responsibility of Council, and funding for maintenance is highly contested across the municipality. The club will continue to advocate for an appropriate level of maintenance to ensure the new playing surface remains in excellent condition for many years to come.

  • If you have questions or concerns, please contact the club through our usual channels. We’re always happy to help.

    Contact details here.

Last updated: 23rd December 2025