Footy under lights

With a proud history that dates back to 1885, the Richmond Football Club is one of the early members of the Victorian Football Association (VFA), which was founded in 1877. For the first time in the club’s 129 year history, 2014 saw the establishment of the Richmond Football Club VFL team.

“The club uses the training facilities at ME Bank Centre on Punt Road, which is a venue without permanent lighting,” explained Daniel Hull, VFL Football Operations Manager.

“With players either working or studying full time, training is run at night so we needed to find a lighting solution, that’s when we contacted the local Richmond branch of Kennards Hire. They delivered 10 light towers which were placed at various points around the oval.” The articulated, telescopic silenced flood light towers feature 4 x 1000 watt metal halide lamps that provide  significant usable light, while the hydraulic controls assist in boom extension and manual controls enable lamp tilt and direction.

With a horizontal reach of 3 metres for out and over; and up and over applications such as pits, under bridges, a powerful diesel generator provides the power for illumination and auxiliary power tools if required. Additionally the lights are separately switched for power saving flexibility.

“While the oval isn’t lit up like the MCG on a Friday night, the light towers have allowed the club to complete training, the alternative was early mornings or a different ground,” Daniel said.

“The light towers are diesel powered so Kennards Hire arrange to fill them when needed. Having the branch close by has also been convenient, the staff are very helpful and accommodating to our needs,” Daniel added.