Police are investigating alleged late-night vandalism at two popular Northern Beaches sports grounds over the Easter weekend, after deep tyre ruts were discovered across the playing surfaces at Seaforth Oval and Nolan Reserve in North Manly, leaving clubs and grounds staff facing repairs to fields used by hundreds of local athletes.
Members of the public found the damage at both sites on Sunday morning. At Seaforth Oval on Wakehurst Parkway, deep ruts had allegedly been carved across two soccer pitches, with investigators suggesting a vehicle or vehicles had been driven in circles to tear up the turf. At Nolan Reserve on Riverview Parade, North Manly, tyre tracks on the southern side of the park indicated that what appeared to be a small four-wheel drive or quad bike had allegedly been driven repeatedly in circles through the muddy surface, while separate marks nearby suggested e-bikes had been used in a similar manner.
Police attended Seaforth Oval on Sunday morning to begin investigations. The alleged vandalism at Nolan Reserve was reported to police on Tuesday 7 April.
Bolt Cutters and a Damaged Bench
The alleged damage at Seaforth Oval was not limited to the playing surface. Whoever allegedly accessed the ground reportedly used bolt cutters to cut through a chain securing the entry, suggesting the damage was not opportunistic. A metal bench seat, which had been screwed into concrete bases, was also allegedly torn from its mounts, adding to what grounds staff now face in returning the site to a usable state.
Both Seaforth Oval and Nolan Reserve are fitted with CCTV security cameras at their amenities blocks, and authorities are reviewing that footage as part of the investigation.
Grounds That Serve a Wide Community
The damage has struck facilities that hundreds of local residents rely on across multiple sports. Nolan Reserve is the beating heart of North Manly sport, home to the Manly Warringah Junior Cricket Association and Harbord Football Club. The timing of this attack couldn’t be worse. With the winter season kick-off just weeks away, the deep ruts have thrown local soccer and rugby league training schedules into chaos. Clubs are now scrambling to find alternative training ground space while council crews race to repair the playing surfaces before the first whistle of the season.
The reserve received a significant upgrade in 2020 with a new 300-square-metre amenities building, complete with change rooms, storage and 120 metres of tiered spectator seating, built specifically to serve the diverse sporting community using the grounds.
Bordering the Garigal National Park, Seaforth Oval is a vital hub for local football, cricket, and little athletics. The senseless damage comes at a critical time for the site; the oval is currently undergoing a major transformation under the recently finalized 2025 Plan of Management. This includes a flagship $400,000 bike park project that has seen the community rally to protect and improve the precinct, making the recent destruction feel like a personal blow to local volunteers.
The timing compounds the frustration. Favourable autumn grass-growing conditions, which represent the best window for repairing worn or damaged turf, would normally be a period of recovery for grounds after the summer season. Instead, grounds staff now face repair work caused by the alleged vandalism rather than routine maintenance.
Concerns Mount Over Alleged Pattern of Vandalism
Word of the alleged damage spread quickly through local social media groups, drawing widespread condemnation from residents across the Northern Beaches. Multiple community members noted that a similar alleged incident had reportedly occurred at Nolan Reserve just two weeks prior to the Easter weekend, raising concerns about a pattern of activity at the site.
NSW Police are continuing their investigations into both incidents. Anyone with information about the alleged vandalism at Seaforth Oval or Nolan Reserve is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report online at crimestoppers.com.au.
Published 20-April-2026
