In a game-changing collaboration spanning three years, Grassports Australia and the Caravella Football Academy have redefined the sporting landscape of Far North Queensland. Faced with the challenge of creating a space that could endure Cairns’ tropical climate — marked by high humidity, soaring temperatures, and intense rainfall — the two organisations came together to deliver a world-class solution. The result? A cutting-edge sporting precinct, and the first of its kind in Cairns, designed to support elite football training and performance all year round.
What was once a vast natural grass field has been meticulously reimagined into a 3,542m² all-weather football facility — engineered to handle both the elements and the demands of high-level athletic use. At its core lies HB250 synthetic turf, selected for its durability, performance, and impressive longevity. Unlike traditional fields, this surface maintains its quality through heavy use and extreme weather, ensuring consistent playability.
One of the most impressive features of the field is its vertical drainage system, capable of withstanding and dispersing up to 100mm of rain within an hour. Tested under real tropical downpours, this infrastructure has proven its reliability — keeping the field playable even during intense wet season storms.
Given Cairns’ year-round heat and humidity, ST20 green rubber infill was chosen to help reduce surface temperature during daytime sessions — particularly useful throughout the warmer winter months. To further enhance usability, professional-grade lighting was installed, enabling evening and night-time play during the long, hot summer season.
Today, this revolutionary facility is home to the Caravella Football Academy, one of the fastest-growing youth football development programs in the region. Hundreds of young athletes now train and develop their skills on a surface that rivals those found in major sporting cities — a powerful testament to what innovation, investment, and community-focused collaboration can achieve.
Together, Grassports and the Caravella Football Academy have quite literally changed the game — creating a legacy project that sets a new benchmark for football excellence in tropical Australia.
