Western Sydney Wanderers have taken another exciting step to become a leading club in Asia, with the opening of a multi-million dollar training facility.
In what will be a key influence in talent development, the facility features nine all-weather five-a-side FIFA grade synthetic turf pitches to provide an integrated high performance facility for not only the Wanderers but also the entire the Western Sydney community.
The NSW Government pledged a $5 million grant which includes a clubhouse with an office function room and also player change rooms. Additionally, the funding includes new amenities building, landscaping and supporting infrastructure.
Western Sydney Wanderers Chairman Paul Lederer signified the importance of the Wanderers Fives investment for the local football community.
“Our brand-new Wanderers Facility will be the centrepiece of our community engagement with an expected 200,000 visitors per year,” Lederer said in a statement.
“There is a significant football facilities deficit in Western Sydney and Wanderers Football Park shows our club is playing a major role to sustain and grow football in our community.”
Minister of Sport Alister Henskens added that the new training facility will be dedicated to the overall development of Western Sydney football talent, as well as other home competitions.
“The Western Sydney Wanderers have a brief but highly successful history,” Henskens said via press release.
“The new Wanderers Five Facility will ensure the Wanderers continue to develop players that dominate not just the A – League but Asian and World football just like the current Socceroos stars and former Wanderers players Keanu Baccus, Mitch Duke, and Aaron Mooy.
“Featuring dedicated female facilities, Wanderers Fives will also help break down barriers in women’s sport and support the success of the Wanderers Fives will also help break down barriers in women’s sport and support the success of the Wanderers A League Women’s team.”
Geoff Lee, the Member for Parramatta, officially opened the training facility on behalf of the NSW Government. This project is going to produce a 1 billion-dollar sports facility construction boom across NSW.
“The NSW Government sports facility infrastructure program is creating thousands of construction jobs and providing an economic boost to our economy,” Lee said in a statement.
Western Sydney Wanderers CEO Scott Hudson thanked the NSW Government for their support and overall belief of the newly opened facility.
“We’re delighted to open our Wanderers Fives Facility at Wanderers Football Park today with support of the NSW Government,” Hudson added via press release.
“Our vision for Wanderers Fives has always been to make football more accessible as it addresses the significant football facility deficit here in Western Sydney.
“We’re excited for Wanderers Fives to be a home ground for diverse multicultural groups, local clubs, and associations for years to come.”
The project was funded through the second round of the Greater Sydney Sports facility – awarding $39.95 million across 22 projects for new and the existing facilities to improve the quality and quantity of sports infrastructure for all sections of the community – including women, people with a disability and multicultural communities.
