When the Maningrida Footy Festival kicked off last weekend, with the Sydney Swans there to see and play, those who know a bit about good footy grounds said the West Arnhem Land deck was a pretty good one.
The ground had been missing other important elements, though.
Around 300 people turned out for the opening of new changerooms at the local oval, equipped with some stands for supporters, and waited on for six years since early planning and community consultation.
Maningrida is a small Indigenous community of around 2,500 people about 500 kilometres east of Darwin.
It's also somewhere where footy is more than sport - "it's a way of life", West Arnhem Regional Council Mayor James Woods said.
Local federal MP Marion Scrymgour noted the changerooms will also support more women and girls in footy.
"AFL isn't just a sport out here; it's a way of life. It brings us together. It teaches teamwork, discipline, pride and belonging. It connects generations and builds bridges between cultures. Most importantly, it inspires our young people," Mayor Woods said.
Mayor Woods added facilities like the 600-square-metre changerooms "reflect what our communities deserve".
"West Arnhem Regional Council remains committed to championing even greater improvements in local infrastructure," he added.
The ribbon-cutting came just in time for teams from surrounding communities to utilise during the local footy festival, helping drive an important health message.
After a week of visits to Jabiru, Ramingining, Milingimbi, Gunbalanya and Maningrida, the Swans, with Australian Defence Force and locally-based Mala'la Health Service hosted the weekend event with support of the federal government's Tackling Indigenous Smoking program.
Mala'la Health Service's David Freier told National Indigenous Times there were comments from players and those around the festival that the ground was of a higher quality than what they see in the capital cities.
The new changerooms are as nice, he added.
"They were sorely needed. It's lovely to have a great ground, but if you can't sit somewhere out of the rain, yeah, it's not the best," he laughed, "but it's a great facility".
In addition, the project supported local employment. $4.6 million, via the federal government's Aboriginals Benefit Account the National Indigenous Australians Agency, was invested into the build.
Ms Scrymgour said "it's about bringing people together and providing high-quality public amenities out-bush".
"These new changerooms are a great example of how we can build and strengthen remote communities through infrastructure projects and through sport. It was great to see a local builder Stedmans Construction engaged in this project, driving jobs and economic development in our remote communities," she said.
"I'm also very pleased that the changerooms will allow more women and girls to participate in local sports - some of our best NT players are young women and I am glad they'll have a space to engage through this investment."
NT Minister for People, Sport and Culture Jinson Charls said the facilities back local sports, more opportunities for young people and future footy festivals.
"These new changerooms in Maningrida are a wonderful example of how targeted investment can strengthen remote First Nations communities and support local Aspirations," Federal Minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy said.
"Sport brings people together, promotes health and wellbeing and celebrates culture," Senator McCarthy added, "These facilities will not only benefit Maningrida but other West Arnhem communities as well."
