Western Sydney sporting fields and training centres secure NSW government funding

The NSW Government has announced more than $316.7 million in funding for local councils and community groups in western Sydney via its $1.6 billion WestInvest Community Project Grant– Competitive Round while also through their Centre of Excellence Fund is delivering a $15 million grant to Greater Western Sydney Giants to transform its training and community centre at Sydney Olympic Park into a new centre of excellence.

Local councils and community groups in the Blacktown, Blue Mountains, Parramatta, Cumberland, Fairfield, Hawkesbury, Strathfield and The Hills LGAs will share in the $316.7 million funding to deliver 15 new and upgraded sports facilities across Western Sydney.

The projects range from new indoor and outdoor sports courts for basketball, netball and tennis, to upgrades to community ovals to support football and cricket to skate parks and new pools.

AFL’s Greater Western Sydney Giants will also be transforming its training and community centre at Sydney Olympic Park into a new centre of excellence thanks to the $15 million grant from the NSW Government.

NSW Minister for Sport Alister Henskens said the funding will support the installation of new lighting, scoreboard, oval fencing and a swimming pool complex.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said the project would provide a home ground for the Giants AFLW team, as well as high-performance facilities for the club’s AFL, AFLW and netball teams. 

Premier Perrottet noted “Women’s sport is experiencing exponential growth and this project has a particular focus on creating more opportunities for women and girls in AFL.  

“The $15 million investment to develop new facilities will also help the Giants expand its community outreach program, by increasing access and utilisation for grassroots community sporting clubs and schools in Western Sydney.”

Giants Chief Executive David Matthews said this is a significant announcement for the football club and for women’s football in New South Wales.

“This project is imperative for us to continue to grow and expand our training and community facility for our AFL, AFLW and netball teams and work towards developing a dedicated AFLW stadium right here at Sydney Olympic Park,” Mr Matthews said.  

“This project will enable all stakeholders to deliver on our collective objectives of better servicing the communities of Western Sydney and providing economically responsible solutions to a host of needs from grassroots sport to the elite level.

Projects funded under the $1.6 billion WestInvest Community Project Grants – Competitive Round include:

• $53.7 million for Cumberland Council to transform an underutilised site at Greystanes into a precinct for indoor and outdoor sport including netball, AFL, football, cricket, baseball, rugby league, rugby union, cricket, basketball, volleyball and badminton;

• $16 million for Fairfield City Council to upgrade the Endeavour Sports Park with a new synthetic field, sized for two soccer pitches, an AFL or a cricket pitch;

• $9.8 million for Hawkesbury City Council for the Tamplin Field redevelopment project for a new synthetic field to enable games, training and events in all weather;

• $5.6 million for the City of Parramatta Council to deliver the North Granville Community Open Space Upgrade project which will upgrade FS Garside Park and construct a natural turf football field and install new sports field lighting, seating and a regional sized playground.

• $3.5 million for the Blue Mountains Council to transform the Pitt Park Athletics oval into a dedicated state-of-the-art athletics sporting precinct.

• $1 million for The Hills Shire Council to transform Fred Caterson Reserve in Castle Hill to support a range of indoor and outdoor sports.

• More than $573,000 for the Strathfield Municipal Council to deliver the Upgrade to Cooke Park Skatepark project to provide state of the art facilities to young skaters.

NSW Treasurer Matt Kean said WestInvest will deliver world class facilities to support all sports ranging from junior level to the professionals to people who want to get more exercise and kick a ball around.

“This type of community infrastructure is critical for our future sporting stars to thrive from the day they step on to the sporting field. Athletes in Western Sydney deserve the best facilities to compete and perform so they can strive for greatness,” Minister Kean said.

“These facilities range in size and scale and cater to just about every sport from basketball, netball and volleyball to badminton and roller sports.”

While the peak body representing councils in Greater Western Sydney, the Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (WSROC), has commended the NSW Government’s announcement of funding new projects for Western Sydney councils, community groups, and the Western Sydney University, the peak body warns that much more will be needed.

WSROC President Barry Calvert. has noted “it should be pointed out that it is estimated Western Sydney residents will be paying $276 billion in tolls over the next 40 years.”

“That is money going to a private company, paid by people who are suffering an already high cost of living.

“If the WestConnex roads had stayed in public hands that income could have been available for hospitals, schools and public transport.”

Image: NSW Minister for Sport Alister Henskens at Greater Western Sydney Giants training centre