After seven years playing matches away, Looma's refurbished oval is bringing generations together, restoring community pride and creating a place for families to connect.

For the remote Kimberley community of Looma, the return of home-ground football represents far more than sport. It is about belonging, connection and having a place the community can call its own.

Located around 250 kilometres east of Broome, Looma officially opened its newly refurbished Community Oval in May 2026, marking the return of home games for the Looma Eagles Football Club after seven years away.

The milestone saw the Eagles host Cable Beach on their home ground, bringing together players, families, Elders and supporters.

KCU Managing Director Garry Jaffrey said the project began through conversations about opportunities in Looma, including sport, education and mental health, amid serious concerns around youth suicide in the community, some o the highest rates in the country.

KCU initially supported mental health initiatives through Zero2Hero, which delivered programs for local school students. Those conversations soon developed into a broader commitment to supporting football and upgrading the community's facilities.

Mr Jaffrey said the condition of the oval and change rooms had made hosting competition matches near impossible, despite community members volunteering their time and travelling, often for hours, for six or seven years to keep the club participating.

The refurbishment was funded through the Western Australian Government's Community Sporting and Recreation Facilities Fund, with support from KCU (Kurtarra Cape Joint Venture), Pinijarti Contracting, the Looma Eagles Football Club, the WA Football Commission and the Carlton Football Club Foundation.

Local community members also played a major role, undertaking much of the painting and improvement work themselves.

"The community from within was really driving us as well, which was for us the most magical thing we could see," Mr Jaffrey said.

He recalled returning to Looma and seeing how much work had been completed, with residents going beyond the initial upgrades to clean up and improve the surrounding grounds.

"We were just happy to be able to support," Mr Jaffrey said.

"And it's not about us. It's about the community. It's us working together and sharing that journey."

For Mr Jaffrey, one of the most rewarding moments was seeing older community members, including Elders who had previously struggled to attend away games, able to walk down to the oval and cheer on their team.

"One of the most rewarding things is when you're able to help and help get out of the car, grab their hand, help them," he said.

"It touches my heart."

He said seeing families and Elders sitting together, smiling and supporting the Eagles demonstrated the importance of creating spaces that belong to the community.

"That's what it's all about, being a community and having nice initiatives, and having something that they, which is theirs," Mr Jaffrey said.

Looma Eagles president Winston Pindan said returning to home-ground football had made a significant difference to players and supporters.

"We travelled each weekend, so having a few games at home was really exciting for the community," he said.

Mr Pindan knows the commitment required to keep the club running, having previously served as president, coached the men's and women's teams and driven the bus.

"My day would start at four o'clock. I'd probably finish at midnight when I get back," he said.

The refurbished facilities have also enabled the club to host community sporting carnivals, bringing together children and families from across the Fitzroy Valley and neighbouring communities for football, basketball and other activities.

Mr Pindan said the events welcomed people of all ages, including veteran players in their 50s and 60s.

The upgraded canteen has also helped the club cater for visitors and generate income to support future sporting and recreational activities.

KCU chief executive officer Greg Hutchinson said the project had grown over two years, demonstrating how relatively small contributions could create meaningful community benefits.

Looking ahead, KCU hopes to build on the relationship through its Bridge Program, providing Kimberley people with introductory skills, industry awareness and pathways into employment.

Mr Jaffrey said the organisation was committed to maintaining its relationships with communities across the region.

"We're there for the long haul," he said.

He hopes Looma's experience will encourage other organisations and businesses to support community-led initiatives.

For Looma, the greatest achievement is already visible in the families gathering, Elders cheering from the sidelines and young people taking pride in their facilities.