Hurlstone Park Wanderers has unveiled new facilities in which they were desperate to acquire following half a century of operation prior to its last upgrade.
The state-of-the-art sports facility was opened on March 22, 2024 – made possible by City of Canterbury Bankstown Council and Football Canterbury.
Hurlstone Park Wanderers are a club which boasts a rich history amongst football within Australia, and in particular New South Wales. Since it’s inception in 1924, Hurlstone Park Reserve has been sustained by the lifeblood of every sporting body across the globe – it’s fans through relentless volunteering for the club’s upkeep. Ensuring playing surfaces were maintained, alongside ensuring club room operations and hospitality for club representatives, supporters and the visiting opponents.
In 1969 Hurlstone Park Reserve was renamed after local Canterbury mayor John Henry Ewen served as Canterbury mayor within the 1920s. The title for the venue was thus changed to Ewen Park.
As one of Australia’s longest functioning football clubs which are currently celebrating their 100th year of operations, the timing of the unveiling of new facilities at their home stadium could not have been more fitting.
Chief Executive Officer of Football NSW John Tsatsimas showcased the progress made on X for the club stating: “Massive congratulations to the club who have been pursuing this project for about 20 years and are celebrating their 100th year this season! A great outcome for this great club and the football community in the Canterbury Association”.
Within his social media post, it was also acknowledged that Australian football great Jim Fraser was honoured by the Canterbury based club in whom he spent his junior years playing at. The former Socceroo had the club room named in his honour. Tsatsimas labelled the former player as a “massive contributor to the game at all levels…forged a career in our game few have emulated over such a lengthy period of time.”
The new building on display at Ewen Park was made possible through the contribution of Wanderers volunteers who contributed to raising funds for more than two decades to emulate the new facilities. The club was also assisted by NSW Government, and their Greater Cities Sport Facilities Fund Grant.
