St Francis Catholic College
Designing a Community-Driven Sports Precinct in Melton
Victoria

The project began on a greenfield site, meaning the land was undeveloped and without existing sporting infrastructure. While this provided a blank canvas for design, it also introduced a number of challenges.

There was no existing drainage, earthwork configuration, or service connections in place, all of which had to be planned and integrated from scratch. The design needed to cater to a diverse range of sports—AFL, cricket, netball, and tennis—all within a limited footprint, which required a nuanced approach to space planning and surfacing systems.

Additionally, the project involved a range of stakeholders, including the College leadership team, MACS representatives, and community users. Balancing their differing needs and ensuring clear alignment throughout the project lifecycle was critical.

Finally, like many educational infrastructure projects, the sports precinct had to be delivered within defined timeframes and budgetary constraints, requiring a high degree of cost-efficiency without compromising quality or performance.

SPORTENG approached the project with a comprehensive and collaborative design methodology. Our first step was to conduct a detailed review of the site using existing survey, geotechnical and environmental reports, while commissioning a new level and feature survey to inform our understanding of the terrain. This early investigative work fed into a comprehensive feasibility study and concept design phase, during which we identified key project risks and opportunities and outlined an initial vision for the precinct. Through a series of structured design workshops with the client and key stakeholders, we were able to establish clear design objectives and performance requirements for each component of the sports precinct.

As the project progressed into the design development phase, SPORTENG refined the concept into a detailed, build-ready solution. This involved multiple design revisions to ensure compliance with sport-specific guidelines, alignment with stakeholder expectations, and efficient use of space. Our team produced design documentation for both tender and construction, providing the College and MACS with a coordinated and quality-assured package ready for contractor engagement.

Throughout the tender process, SPORTENG played a key advisory role—reviewing contractor submissions, responding to requests for information, attending interviews, and providing detailed assessments to support contractor selection. During construction, our team continued to support the client by reviewing site works, assessing contractor claims, managing design queries, and ensuring that the built outcome aligned with the original design intent.

The new sports precinct at St Francis Catholic College is the result of a considered, collaborative design process that brought together SPORTENG’s technical expertise with the school’s vision for an inclusive, high-performance sporting environment. The completed facility features a full-sized AFL multi-purpose oval surfaced with synthetic turf, purpose-built cricket training nets, and adaptable hard courts designed for both netball and tennis. Every element has been thoughtfully designed to meet sport-specific performance standards while ensuring long-term durability, safety, and accessibility for students and the wider community.

More than just a collection of playing surfaces, the precinct is a catalyst for student well-being, school engagement, and community connection. It enhances the College’s ability to deliver quality physical education programs and creates a welcoming space that encourages participation across all skill levels.

For SPORTENG, this project is a clear example of how specialist Field of Play design, when combined with early planning and strong stakeholder collaboration, can transform open land into a lasting community asset. By overseeing the design from initial concept through to tender documentation and construction support, we helped deliver a facility that not only meets today’s needs but will continue to serve future generations of students. It reflects our ongoing commitment to delivering technically sound, user-focused sporting spaces that inspire participation and stand the test of time.

Credit videos Victorian Sports Group