Southern Districts Football Club “desperately” needs lights installed at Norbuilt Oval to avoid “serious health issues” in extremely hot weather.

The club has written to the NT Government requesting funding for several light towers, with up to $1m required to install an off grid light system run by a diesel generator.

In a club document, Districts said “heat stress is a major risk for the SDFC” and lights would allow it to play later games.

“When some players are running 14km in a game starting at 12pm, serious health issues become a concern,” it states.

“We have teams playing in the extreme heat in the middle of the day to accommodate home game schedules.