Australia’s most successful club Sydney FC is sure to be continuing with that standing as they opened its new facility in Sydney’s North.
The new state-of-the-art facility cost $30 million and will act not only as a facility for a world class football precinct but will also be a vital community facility.
The park will be used by Sydney FC as a training ground and the club will particularly focus on developing its A-League Women’s squad from the facility. It will be the first the time that the entire club will be based out of the same location.
Speaking on the club’s excitement Sydney FC Chairman, Scott Barlow – had this to say at the parks launch:
“Sky Park is finally here. It is a world class facility that we have been working on for many years,” he stated.
“It brings together our entire club under the one roof for the first time in our history. We now have a home, in Sky Park, to be very proud of.
“Sky Park will also provide our club with the opportunity to expand our many grassroots programs to have an even greater positive and lasting impact on the community.
“I’d like to thank the New South Wales government for their support over the course of this project and their recognition of the significant positive impact our club is having across Sydney’s football community.”
Barlow was joined by NSW Minister for Sport, Steve Kamper, who on trend with other politicians at the moment, expressed the power that the Matildas have had in changing the perception of the beautiful game.
“Sydney FC are Australia’s most successful A-League club, with some of the world’s greatest players donning the Sky Blue jersey, including Italian great Alessandro Del Piero, former Socceroos Brett Emerton and John Aloisi, and current Matildas Sam Kerr and Caitlin Foord,” he added via media release.
“The state-of-the-art Sky Park Centre of Excellence will provide a world-class high-performance training and community facility that will improve male and female academy and pathway development, and strengthen the club’s connection with their passionate fans.
“The NSW Government is committed to breaking down barriers in women’s sport, and Sky Park features dedicated female facilities that will produce more Matildas to do us proud on the world stage, just like the ones wearing the green and gold at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023.”
Not only is this a momentous day for Sydney FC, but also the wider community is also looking to benefit. The park is based out of Macquarie University, and this will be sure to lead to further collaboration opportunities between the club and the university.
Macquarie University Vice-Chancellor, Professor S Bruce Dowton, spoke of the vibrancy that the new facility will bring to the community.
“It is Macquarie University’s pleasure to welcome Sydney FC’s Centre of Excellence to its campus,” he stated via press release.
“The first-class facilities, and the activity they will attract, will add to the vibrancy of our great campus, and create opportunities for meaningful collaborations between Sydney FC and the University.”
The new facility boasts among its club room facilities a player’s lounge, boot room, and community space. The park will also offer green space and sporting fields both for training and games.
The club will allow Sydney FC members all year access to the facility something sure to help the club connect with its passionate fan base and hopefully also help to inspire Australia’s next generation of elite footballers.