The Sutherland Shire Council have honoured the career and achievements of Socceroos’ Head Coach Graham Arnold with an oval renamed at his junior club Gwawley Bay Football Club.
Canberra Road Oval – which is the place where it all started for Arnold as a four-year-old – will now take the name of Graham Arnold Oval. The former Sydney FC coach was welcomed to the oval by his family and friends, former Socceroos teammates, local footballers and football fans alike to celebrate his career as an Australian national player and coach.
Graham Arnold said the occasion and the recognition was a special moment for his entire family:
“Firstly, I’d like to thank Sutherland Shire Council and Gwawley Bay Football Club for their involvement in this project and say what an honour it is for not just myself, but my entire family,” Arnold said in a Sutherland Shire media release.
“This is a special place for the Arnolds – I’ve always said that Gwawley Bay Football Club was our second family – Mum and Dad were heavily involved with the club and many of the earliest memories of my childhood were here at this oval.
“This is where I grew up and developed my love for football, a place where I made lifelong friendships that have been so pivotal in both my playing and coaching career.
“To see a place so significant to my family now named after me is a little bit surreal. I know my parents – who both loved being part of this club – would be so proud.
“I’m very grateful to everyone involved in renaming this oval and look forward to young people from across the Sutherland Shire enjoying football here for many years to come.”
Sutherland Shire Mayor Councillor Carmelo Pesce was exhilarated about the renaming to acknowledge one of the Sutherland Shire’s most celebrated sporting exports:
“We’re proud to honour Arnie’s legacy at Gwawley Bay Football Club where he first laced up the boots and developed his love for the game that he has since given so much to as both a player and coach, Cr Pesce added via Sutherland Shire media release.
“It’s important that our community honours the impact that our home-grown sporting talent has had on the global stage, and Arnie’s incredible achievements – particularly as coach of our national team – will no doubt serve as inspiration for local footballing talent for generations to come.
“It was wonderful to welcome Arnie back to Gwawley Bay today and provide so many local football fans and members of our community to wish him luck as he continues to drive our Socceroos towards qualification for their sixth straight World Cup and thank him for his immense contribution to Australian football.”
Arnold has enjoyed over a 40-year football career playing for sides such as Sydney United and the Northern Spirit while representing Australia in 88 matches, including 56 A internationals scoring 33 goals.
As a manager, he has won the A-League Championship twice with the Central Coast Mariners and Sydney FC and most recently reached the Round of 16 at the 2022 FIFA World Cup where he and the Socceroos lost to eventual champions Argentina.
Arnold and the Socceroos will now prepare for their 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier against Bahrain at Robina Stadium on September 5 2024.
