Christie Park is set to be transformed into one of the best football complexes in North-West Sydney, following the City of Ryde’s authorisation of the development of a new amenities building and extra training facilities at the Macquarie Park site.
The new facilities, funded by the City of Ryde and the NSW Government’s Greater Sydney Sports Facility Fund, will include office space and a function area for groups, as well as female-friendly locker rooms and improved accessibility for people with disabilities.
It will maintain the two FIFA-accredited synthetic fields that were recently built, ensuring Christie Park’s ability to hold state-level events in the future.
Cr Jerome Laxale, Mayor of the City of Ryde, sees the new investment as part of Council’s plan to turn Christie Park into a regional football centre that serves all levels of the game.
“The popularity of football is booming in the City of Ryde at all levels of participation and the improvements that we are undertaking at Christie Park will not only ensure that the venue will be able to meet the growing needs of the local community, but also the North-West Sydney region,” he said.
“Most importantly these works focus on providing elite facilities for local female clubs. With the Women’s FIFA World Cup being played in Australia in 2023, it’s crucial that councils invest in elite facilities for females who have historically struggled for access to such facilities.
“Building these facilities will offer a pathway programme from junior teams through to elite senior representative teams for women and girls in the Ryde local government area and beyond.
“This is a win for the community and a win for football.”
According to Football NSW Chief Executive Officer Stuart Hodge, Christie Park, as the home of North West Sydney Football, will gain tremendously from this improvement.
“City of Ryde and all the football users of Christie Park have partnered together to achieve so much in the last few years. This Christie Park masterplan compliments the NSW Football Infrastructure Strategy, and the importance of developing Homes of Football,” Hodge said.
Football Australia Chief Executive Officer James Johnson expressed his support for the development and praised the City of Ryde for committing to the development of this football facility.
“As the number one team based and most multi-cultural, diverse and inclusive participation sport in Australia which is confronting a chronic facilities shortage throughout the nation as a direct consequence of football’s continued and strong participation,” he said.
