VALO lights up Norwood Oval, bringing broadcast quality to the suburbs for the first time

Australian advanced lighting technology company VALO has installed broadcast quality lighting at Norwood Oval, which will allow the precinct to host a range of night games from 2023 onwards.

The new light towers, which are 34 metres tall, feature 48 VALO Zenith Gen-V 1500W LED luminaires per pole - or 192 luminaires in total around the ground.

The luminaires mark the completion of VALO’s Norwood Oval upgrade after it also installed 300 metres of digital displays around the perimeter of the ground earlier this year, making it the first South Australian suburban ground to feature LED digital boundary displays and adding to the visual experience of attending a game at the venue.

VALO Chief Executive and founder Aaron Hickmann said the lights were the most advanced lighting system at any suburban ground in Australia and meant South Australia now had even more opportunities to host high level sporting games at night, which could be broadcast in local or international markets.

“We’ve designed and manufactured the award winning Zenith Gen-V luminaire at Kent Town, less than 1km from the oval,” Mr Hickmann said.

“Not only have we employed a team of people here in Adelaide to deliver this product to market, but we have also worked hard to utilise local suppliers wherever possible to support the project.

“We look forward to working on other stadium projects nationally and internationally in the coming months and years.”

Norwood Oval is set to host two AFL Gather Round fixtures in April 2023, where the lights are expected to be used.

Norwood Football Club Chief Executive James Fantasia said VALO’s Zenith Gen-V lights would help elevate the oval and its precinct to the next level, allowing it to host higher profile sporting fixtures going forward.

“We have worked closely with VALO and The City of Norwood Payneham and St Peters to ensure these lights fit seamlessly into Norwood Oval, which will make a significant difference to visibility for players and spectators,” Mr Fantasia said.

“Norwood Oval is steeped in history – with ground having been broken in the 1890s. It will be fantastic to see it hosting more major AFL and AFLW games next year, along with other sporting fixtures.

“Having VALO’s premium stadium lighting at Norwood allows us to bring the highest level of football in Australia back to suburban grounds and to the heart of our community, and lighting is key to that.

“The game-day experience for our spectators has improved significantly with the installation of the Gen-V’s along with the 300m of LED digital display screens VALO installed earlier this year.

“2023 is going to be a great year for football in South Australia, and our SANFL teams will also appreciate having the opportunity to play under the best quality lights available, along with lacrosse and other sports.”

VALO filmed the installation process of the Zenith Gen-V LED luminaires in a time-lapse video. If you would like to watch the video or use it for your publication or program, please click here.

About VALO

VALO is an Australian advanced technology company with its core in ultra-high-powered LED lighting. VALO is committed to accelerating disruptive and sustainable technologies and has transitioned from importer to manufacturer, exporting Australian designed and made LED lighting product with their flagship stadium light, the Zenith Gen-V.