Unley Oval to be renamed Peter Motley Oval

The Sturt Football Club has announced that Unley Oval will be known this season as Peter Motley Oval.

Unley Oval has been known as Envestra Park since 2013, which coincided with natural gas distribution company Envestra Ltd’s commencement as a club sponsor. The company, which underwent a name change last October to Australian Gas Networks Ltd, has decided that its community sponsorship be recognised in 2015 through a significant figure in the club’s history.

Peter Motley played 92 league games for Sturt between 1982-1985 including winning the club’s best and fairest in 1984 and 1985, before joining Carlton in the VFL where he played 19 senior matches in 1986-87. He also played six games for SA including winning the Fos Williams Medal in 1985, was named an All-Australian the same year and went on to make Sturt’s Team of the Century. Sadly, his football career was cruelly cut short following a serious car crash in 1987 at the age of just 22.

Australian Gas Networks Acting Chief Executive Officer Des Petherick says the company, which has its roots in SA back to the 1860s, is delighted to extend its partnership with the club.

“Australian Gas Networks is pleased to pick up where Envestra left off and continue our great partnership with the Sturt Football Club,” he said.

“We thought long and hard about the oval name with ‘Australian Gas Networks’ and ‘Natural Gas’ a couple of obvious choices, but in the end agreed that paying tribute to a club legend was appropriate, and a clear demonstration of our community support. As Sturt’s number one ticket holder and a champion of the game during his brief football career, Peter Motley was deemed an outstanding choice.”

The naming rights deal is a major boost for the Double Blues, with Sturt Football Club General Manager – Business Sue Dewing noting: “Peter Motley is a much loved figure not only in Sturt circles, but across South Australia and nationally, so we’re pleased to name our beloved oval after him in conjunction with Australian Gas Networks,” she said.

Australian Gas Networks is Australia’s leading natural gas distribution company. It delivers natural gas to 1.2 million consumers around the country and annually invests some $300 million in major projects, upgrade works and new networks to improve gas supply in Australia.

FURTHER INFORMATION: Please contact

Sue Dewing, Sturt Football Club General Manager – Business, on 8271 4611 or 0498 650 747