Sportsground Booking and Information

Sport and Recreation Facilities manages more than 280 hectares of irrigated sportsgrounds, comprising of approximately 884 individual hireable sporting fields 66 of these sites have sportsground lighting.

This large asset base provides the Canberra community with convenient access to quality playing fields that contributes to the ACT having the highest levels of participation in sport and physical activity in the country. The sportsground facilities can accommodate a wide selection of activities and standards, ranging from internationally recognised events to recreational or social bookings.

ACT Sportsgrounds Charter

The ACT Sport and Recreation Sportsgrounds charter is available here (PDF).

Fees and charges

Information on hire costs and charges for sportsground bookings is available by viewing the Sportsgrounds Hire Charges:

Previous years fees and charges

Booking Requests Online

The ACT Sportsgrounds Bookings system can be found at www.actsportsgrounds.act.gov.au It allows sporting organisations and individuals to complete and submit their sportsgrounds booking requests on-line. Specific information for each sportsground, including a map of the facility and key geographic information is also provided.

Boomanulla Enclosed Oval

Boomanulla Enclosed Oval (Boomanulla 101) is located in Kyeema St, Narrabundah. It is named after Indigenous advocate Mervin John "Boominulla" Williams, and is of cultural significance to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.

The playing surface of the Oval was restored in early 2019. The venue is used by Rugby League in the winter season and is the home to the Boomanulla Raiders. The venue has a covered grandstand that seats approximately 100 people, a toilet block and a pavilion with change rooms and a canteen. There is also a covered outdoor area that overlooks the playing surface. Boomanulla 101 can be booked through the Sportsground booking system. Usage fees are the same as for other enclosed ovals and cover training and match play at senior and junior rates.

In addition to the sportsground, Boomanulla has other facilities including a hireable meeting room (Boomanulla 102). Hire of the meeting room includes access to the canteen/kitchen and a covered outdoor BBQ area. This facility is suitable for community or business meetings and workshops or other gatherings with up to 25 participants. In addition, the venue has a children’s Nature Play space, a Garden of Achievement and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artwork. Bookings for Boomanulla 102 can be made through the Sportsgrounds booking system. For more information and inquiries about this venue please email sportsgrounds@act.gov.au or contact (02) 6207 1236.

Sportsground Availability

With the exception of the Hall 102 (Piped Arena) and Hall 103 (BBQ Area), and dryland neighbourhood ovals all sportsground facilities are available to be booked within defined seasonal periods.

ACT Sport and Recreation has adopted two sporting seasons. These are

  • Summer: 1 October to 17 March
  • Winter: 1 April to 16 September

Maintenance Shutdown Period

All sportsground, with the exception of Nicholls 1 and Pearce 2 (synthetic playing surface) are closed biannually to allow staff to maintain a quality playing surface at all facilities. This work includes the erection/removal of goal posts and field renovation work. To carry out the programmed maintenance all ACT Government natural turf sportsgrounds will be closed for the last 14 days of each season (18-31 March and 17-30 September).

Sportsground Irrigation

Irrigation on almost all ACT Government sportsgrounds is managed by a sophisticated computer-based system that uses leading edge technology to maximise water efficiency. The vast majority of irrigation occurs at night for the same reason. On occasions, irrigation may be operated during the day for testing purposes or to enable the watering in of fertilisers or chemicals for pest control, but these are kept to the lowest level necessary to optional needs.

There may also be occasions during, and following, the biannual shutdowns where irrigation will run during daylight hours to assist germinating grass seed.

Like any complex system, faults can occasionally occur, in which case we will respond as quickly as possible to ensure any unnecessary water consumption is minimised. If a leaking or malfunctioning sprinkler is observed, it can be reported to Access Canberra on 13 22 81 or the ACTEW Water Conservation Office on (02) 6248 3131.

Wet Weather Closure Policy

The decision to close ACT Sportsgrounds is never an easy one to make. You can read about how ACT Sport and Recreation Facilities determines closing grounds by reading the policy here.

Dog on Ovals

Exercising dogs on ovals is permissible when the ovals are not been used for organised sport. The Domestic Animals Act 2000, Section 42 lists the prohibited places in the ACT where dogs are not allowed.

Prohibited Places (3) " A person must not take a dog onto a field or playing area where formal sport is being played."

Please note: Dogs are prohibited on all synthetic playing fields and enclosed ovals.

For more information please see the Transport Canberra and City Services - Recreation with My Dog

Contact Us

By submitting an enquiry or by phone: (02) 6207 5141 or (02) 6207 5142.

Wet Weather Hotline (for ground closure information): (02) 6207 5957

Postal Address: PO Box 352 Civic Square ACT 2608
Office Address: 480 Northbourne Avenue, DICKSON, ACT 2602