Amid the sporting passion and excitement surrounding the rebuilding of Adelaide Oval in 2010, South Australian Jenny Williams AM launched a petition that also created intense debate.

The successful athlete argued that women paid taxes, including contributing to the millions spent on the oval upgrade, and had long contributed to cricket and football on and off the field.

So why were they not represented at the oval;  no names on stands, or statues or boards?

Williams listed Jill Kennare as an option. Kennare is in the Guinness book of records for scoring two consecutive centuries for Australia. Or left arm spinner Lyn Fullston, who scored the most wickets in a world cup and coached at club level for more than 20 years.

Since that flurry of debate, others have sporadically taken on the cause, calling for a woman to be recognised along with the more than 20 men lauded at the state’s sporting mecca.

As South Australians file in for sporting games, events or concerts, they pass bronzed reminders of Don Bradman, along with George Giffen, Jason Gillespie, Darren Lehmann, Barrie Robran, Russell Ebert, Malcolm Blight, Ken Farmer, Clem Hill.

Its stands are named after Gavin Wanganeen, Jack Oatey, Max Basheer, Fos Williams and Mark Ricciuto. There is the David Hookes terrace bar, Graham Cornes deck and Gil Langley room.

But there are few accolades for women, apart from the SACA Avenue of Honour boards inside the western grandstand and the Lyn Fullston lawns inside the grounds that have since been named in her honour during 2015.

Sport SA chief executive officer Leah Cassidy said more recognition of female athletes at Adelaide Oval was long overdue, adding that champion footballer Erin Phillips who announced her retirement this morning would be a wise choice.

Erin Phillips celebrating a goal when she played for the Adelaide Crows  during the AFLW Grand Final match between the Adelaide Crows and Melbourne Demons at Adelaide Oval in Adelaide during 2022. Photo: AAP/Matt Turner

Apart from Karen Rolton Oval near the corner of West Terrace and Port Road, Cassidy said there was little acknowledgement of female athletes at the state’s fields and stadiums, and Phillips fit the bill.

Port Adelaide captain Phillips will hang up her boots following Saturday’s game with a long list of accolades to her name, including three premierships, two league best and fairest medals and All-Australian honours on three occasions.

“She is a true leader in so many respects and her basketball and football careers are unrivalled – (along with basketballer) Lauren Jackson of course,” Cassidy said.

She said there were many other women to choose from, the state had 36 female inductees in the South Australian Sport Hall of Fame, “all of whom have made a significant contribution to sport in South Australia”.

“In addition, we have the country’s first female sports editor, Marg Ralston OAM, as one of our recipients of the Spirit of South award, our highest honour in the Hall of Fame. Marg contribution to progressing women’s sport is unrivalled,” Cassidy said.

She believed it was high time that women like Ralston were celebrated in the same way as male athletes and it was time for the status quo to change with more recognition of women, through statues, naming rights and equal media coverage.

“Adelaide Oval hosts both men’s and women’s sport and our next generation of sportswomen, South Australians coming through those gates deserve to see the women of South Australia who have achieved equal and, in some cases, greater achievements than their male counterparts who adorn the walls and concourse,” she said.

Williams takes a positive and practical approach, saying in the past 10 years there had been some change with more recognition around the Adelaide Oval and other grounds in SA, but she believed there was far more opportunity to name seats or gates after female sporting legends.

Among her ideas is recognising women in sport affected by breast cancer during the pink test in cricket or to have the stands at Adelaide Oval, one is named after her father, with a dual name including a woman during women’s rounds in the football.

In particular, Williams hoped to have some recognition of women on the grounds during televised football or cricket games. Williams, whose favourite film is Hidden Figures, believed recognition of female athletes will slowly improve as women’s sport attracts a greater following like the Matildas soccer team.

“But I am at the age now where I think statues are good, but I like more practical things like the courtyard out the front of the oval or a seat where people can sit,” she said.

Women and Sport Minister Katrine Hildyard said she was “happy and open to exploring ideas that recognise and celebrate our women athletes” adding that the State Government has a Women’s Equality Blueprint outlining initiatives to drive change.

“Our recent symposium ‘the Power of Her’, held during the FIFA Women’s World Cup, brought together more than 1000 people,” Hildyard said.

“Since the symposium, we have seen South Australia’s elite women’s teams join forces under the Power of Her banner to promote each other’s matches and encourage more South Australians to back women’s sport.”

She also sent “best wishes to the legendary Erin Phillips as she announces her retirement today and as she no doubt continues to make a difference”.

“I also offer her my wholehearted gratitude for all that she has done to change the game and help the next generation know that they can aspire to play and be involved in sport on the biggest stages and in whichever way they choose,” Hildyard said.

Adelaide Oval Stadium Management Authority did not respond to questions about future plans to recognise women athletes by deadline.