New facility to be built for South Australia’s high performance athletes

Liam Watson

In a first during its 39-year history, the South Australian Sports Institute (SASI) will finally have a headquarters to call home. A purpose-built facility will identify, develop and support high performance athletes and programs.

The new facility is included in the State Budget 2021-22, where $49 million will go towards its construction, to be located at Mile End next to the existing Netball SA Stadium.

Premier Steven Marshall explains that the new facility is part of a record $17.9 billion infrastructure spend spanning the next four years and will open up approximately 200 jobs throughout the development.

“This Budget builds on the Marshall Liberal Government’s strong economic recovery plan, to create more jobs, expand health services and deliver record investment in education and infrastructure,” Premier Marshall said.

“This landmark Budget is helping secure SA’s growing global reputation as one of the safest and most attractive places in the world to live, work and raise a family and this significant investment continues to position our great state as a premiere sporting destination.”

Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing, Corey Wingard believes the introduction of SASI HQ will provide high-performance athletes access to new state-of-the-art training facilities and leading-edge integrated technologies to reach greater heights.

“SASI was Australia’s first state-based sports institute but has never had its own purpose-designed facility that is fit-for-purpose and for the past 21 years has operated out of the old Kidman Park High School,” Minister Wingard said.

“Despite that, South Australia has developed and produced some of the best athletes in the world and this investment will help build on that legacy.

“It will also help SASI to achieve its target of contributing at least 10% of Australia’s team medals at both the Olympics and Paralympics.

“This investment will also give our state greater opportunities to grow our economy by attracting national and international training camps and elite programs.”

The new SASI will feature the following:

  • Strength and conditioning gym capable of accommodating multiple sports and teams
  • Specially designed indoor court with smart technology
  • Sport specific ergometer training zones
  • Indoor bounding areas
  • Environment chamber for simulated heat, humidity and altitude stress training

Planning for the new facility will begin immediately, with construction hoped to start in 2022 and expected to be complete in mid-2023.

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Mito, Nagasaki and Chiba step up: will they prove themselves in J1 football?

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Image Credit: JLeague.co

The Meiji Yasuda J1 100-Year Vision League begins in a matter of weeks.

Mito Hollyhock, V-Varen Nagasaki and JEF United Chiba will all feature in Japan’s top flight following their second-tier campaigns last season.

Mito’s historic breakthrough and Nagasaki’s return

For Mito, it marks uncharted territory. The Ibaraki outfit have never played first-division football, having operated exclusively in J2 since their founding 26 years ago. Last year’s title, secured on goal difference after a 70-point haul, changes that.

Arata Watanabe anchored their attack despite an injury-interrupted season. He netted 13 times and created seven more. Sho Omori provided width and service from left-back, appearing in every match and registering the team’s highest totals for passes and crosses.

Nagasaki return after an eight-year absence. Their second-place finish came in their inaugural campaign at PEACE STADIUM Connected by SoftBank. Takuya Takagi, who previously guided them into J1 in 2017, regained control midway through last season. His side dropped just one match in 19 under his leadership. 

Matheus Jesus carried the attacking burden. The Brazilian struck 19 goals and was named J2 Player of the Year. His output alone accounted for much of Nagasaki’s upward trajectory.

Chiba’s journey back has taken 17 years. Once part of the J. League’s inaugural cohort in the early 1990s, relegation in 2009 began a prolonged exile. Third place in the regular season sent them into the play-offs.  A 4-3 comeback from three goals down against RB Omiya Ardija in the semi-final preceded a 1-0 victory over Tokushima Vortis in the final. Carlinhos Junior’s winner in the final capped one of the most dramatic promotion campaigns in recent J. League history.

Each club brings distinct narratives into the top flight. For Mito, Nagasaki and Chiba, survival will mean validating years of ambition, while success could redefine their place in Japanese football. Momentum from promotion campaigns will be tested when fixtures commence in early February.

Coach Education Exchange unites Football NSW and Japan FA

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Football NSW

The education program was a roaring success for the 14 coaches who made the trip, demonstrating Japan’s high-quality infrastructure and development systems from which football bodies across Australia can take inspiration. 

 

A valuable partner

The 2026 FNSW Japan Coach Education Exchange comes as the latest display of the strong connection between footballing worlds in Australia and Japan. 

14 Football NSW coaches travelled to Japan for unique insights into what makes the J-League and WE League tick. With both of these leagues being renowned for their distinct footballing identities, elite development pathways, and technical excellence, the program serves as a valuable opportunity for Football NSW to gain new ideas and know-how moving forward. 

During the visit to Japan, the coaching cohort visited several different clubs, including: 

  • Cerezo Osaka
  • Tokyo Verdy
  • JEF United Chiba
  • Urawa Red Diamonds
  • Gamba Osaka

Learning from international expertise

The trip was not, however, merely about uncovering the secrets to club or commercial success. 

Visits to the JFA Academy Sakai emphasised Japan’s commitment to creating elite pathways for talented young players across the country. They believe in nurturing players not only to be talented footballers, but to be confident leaders through their education and lodging system. 

“He or she being gifted does not always have his or her talent blossom. By providing those who have a talent with a good environment and encouraging them to make efforts, we nurture players who can shine in the world,” they explain via the JFA official website. 

Further meetings with Director of Coach Education at the JFA, Kimura Yasuhiko, as well as Head Coach of Japan’s Men’s National Team, Hajime Moriyasu, highlighted the wealth of knowledge which Australia can access during collaborations with the JFA. 

“The opportunity to meet and hear from a national team head coach operating at the highest level of international football proved both humbling and motivating, underscoring the value of global connection and shared learning in coach development,” Football NSW said via press release. 

Following the success of the 2026 FNSW Japan Coach Education Exchange, the objective should now be to transform insights into action. For Football NSW, or any other football association in Australia seeking to develop the game for current and future generations in the region, the lessons learned from international partners must be applied with real conviction and commitment.

 

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