Orange’s new sport stadium to be named after former Mayor

September 4, 2024

Orange City Council has announced that the new main stadium at the Orange sports precinct will be named after former Mayor, John Davis.

Last night’s Council meeting, the last of the current term, supported a motion from Mayor Jason Hamling to name the new structure - due to be completed in 2026 - as the ‘John Davis Stadium.’

The meeting heard that Mayor Davis, who died in October last year, was a life-long sports fan, as well as a rugby league player and coach in his younger years.

He served more than 30 years on local Councils, in Blayney and Orange, before he retired in 2017.

The Davis family today welcomed news of the Council decision, releasing a statement that advised “we were very honoured and proud to hear that the new Stadium would be named after our wonderful John.

“We would like to thank all the Councillors for supporting Mayor Jason Hamling’s proposal.”

“John would have been surprised, incredibly proud and probably a little embarrassed.”

New name for new change rooms
The Council has also announced that soon to be completed new change rooms at Jack Brabham Park will be named after a stalwart of the Orange and District Football Association (ODFA).

Last night’s Council meeting decided that the new Change Rooms would be named the ‘Brett Hazzard Change Rooms’.

The purpose-built amenities block are the latest dedicated female changerooms to be built in Orange, with the aim of encouraging women’s sport.

The building includes:

Changerooms, showers and toilets for two teams
A referees’ room with two showers and toilets
A dedicated first aid room
An accessible bathroom

Funding for the project was shared between the NSW Government’s Stronger Country Communities program ($500,000) and Orange City Council ($290,000).

Last night’s meeting heard Council had asked the Orange & District Football Association for suggestions for a name for the new facility.

In a letter the ODFA said had Hazzard had volunteered for more than 25 years and had been a driving force behind women’s football in Orange.

Currently the Orange open women’s competition has nine teams, and around 260 female players are registered.

Images: A concept of the stadium at the new Orange sports precinct, to be named as the John Davis Stadium (top) and the soon-to-open amenities block at the city's Jack Brabham Park (below). Credit: Orange City Council.

29th July 2024 - Orange City Council deploys new Venue Booking System

24th July 2024 - New Meridian heating system to be installed at Orange Aquatic Centre

5th July 2024 - Naming rights extended for Alice Springs’ TIO Traeger Park

13th June 2024 - Cronulla Sharks look for new stadium naming rights partner

13th June 2024 - Orange sport precinct turf contract awarded to ‘Never Stop Water Group’

7th May 2024 - Basketball NSW and Orange City Council to host major youth basketball tournament

16th February 2024 - Tenders sought for construction of natural sports fields at Orange Sports Complex

20th November 2023 - Orange City Council invites community feedback on adventure playground designs

4th July 2023 - Belgravia Leisure awarded contract to manage Dubbo’s Aquatic Leisure Centres

17th April 2023 - New LED lighting installed at Dubbo Showground ahead of annual Show

22nd February 2023 - Gold Coast Suns secure Heritage Bank as new home venue naming rights sponsor

20th February 2023 - Dubbo Regional Council plans for restoring flood impacted Pioneer Park

15th November 2022 - Industree Group agrees naming rights deal for Gosford’s Central Coast Stadium

1st February 2021 - NSW Football bodies launch facility guide on modular clubhouses and changing rooms

25th January 2020 - Flowerdale community to benefit from new female friendly change rooms

20th July 2019 - NSW football organisations partner with Ausco Modular to deliver new generation change rooms and facilities

18th July 2019 - New waterslide and aquatic play area approaching completion at Mudgee Pool

15th April 2019 - Sport Facility funding focuses on female-appropriate change rooms

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

Click here to view our subscription options.