WestInvest a facility game changer in Western Sydney

Staff Writer
WestInvest
Image credit: Football NSW

Clubs in Western Sydney are reaping a facility transformation thanks to the NSW Government’s $5 billion WestInvest program.

Facilities, as well as communities, will receive improved and more easy-to-use resources that form a transformational infrastructure project as a whole.

In total, over $333 million is being invested into facilities where football is or will be a key user of the facility.

Among the clubs to see positive change are Nepean, Southern Districts, Macarthur, Hills, and Canterbury.

The projects go towards upgrading amenity buildings to ensure changerooms are female friendly, natural turf field refurbishments, new indoor multi-sport indoor centres for the Futsal community, synthetic fields, and completely new venues.

Football NSW CEO John Tsatsimas said via press release:

“Investment into infrastructure is critical for the largest team-based sport in NSW.

“Only 25% of football changerooms across NSW are female friendly, this injection of funding will help increase this percentage.

“Football demand is already exceeding facility supply, the funding from WestInvest will ensure boys and girls across Western Sydney won’t miss out on playing football.

“We’d like to thank the NSW State Government for their continued support.”

Full details of projects per council are listed below:

Blue Mountains

  • $1.6 million for Blue Mountains City Council to deliver the $1.8 million upgrade of South Lawson Park which will convert a former golf course into a new district level park.

Burwood

  • $2.7 million for the Henley Park Sports Field Upgrade which will revitalise two aged sports fields to improve sport and recreational facilities

Campbelltown

  • $16.7 million for Campbelltown City Council to deliver the Sport and Health Centre of Excellence at Leumeah, in partnership with Western Sydney University, the Macarthur Bulls, Wests Tigers and the South-West Sydney Academy of Sport;
  • $2.8 million for Campbelltown City Council to deliver the Amenities Upgrade Eschol Park Sporting Complex

Camden

  • $21.3 million to deliver the Scalabrini East – Pat Konista Active Open Space and Community Facilities. This project will deliver essential sports, community, green and open space infrastructure in Leppington;
  • $14 million for the Cut Hill Reserve Sports Field Redevelopment project that will renew 18.5 hectares of public open space to deliver new recreation opportunities.

Cumberland

  • $53.7 million for Cumberland Council to deliver the New Hyland Road Sporting Complex into a precinct for indoor and outdoor sport including netball, AFL, football, cricket, baseball, rugby league, rugby union, cricket, basketball, volleyball and badminton;

Fairfield

  • $6.3 million for Fairfield City Council to deliver the $6.5 million Brenan Park project which will deliver more spaces for sports and adventure play for all ages.
  • more than $28 million in WestInvest funding will go towards the $46.5 million Fairfield Showground Stage 2 – Indoor Sports Centre.
  • $16 million for Fairfield City Council to upgrade the Endeavour Sports Park with a new synthetic field, sized for two soccer pitches, an AFL or a cricket pitch;

Hawkesbury

  • $9.8 million for the Hawkesbury City Council to deliver the Tamplin Field Redevelopment project which will include a new synthetic field with off-field grassed spaces to enable games and events through all weather conditions.
  • $4.6 million towards the $9.87 million Fernadell Park and Community Facility development project to deliver new sporting facilities to encourage women and young people to get active.

Hills

  • $1 million for the Hills Shire Council to deliver the Fred Caterson Reserve – Fields 1, 2 & 3 Upgrade and Refurbishment project in Castle Hill

Parramatta

  • $3.8 million for the Max Ruddock Reserve Amenities Modernisation with viewing platform project to upgrade a 50-year-old building to support growth in local sport.
  • $5.6 million for the City of Parramatta Council to deliver the North Granville Community Open Space Upgrade project which will upgrade FS Garside Park and construct a natural turf football field and install new sports field lighting, seating, and a regional sized playground.
  • $8.7 million for the City of Parramatta Council to deliver the Strengthening the Heart of Play project in North Parramatta

Penrith

  • $106.7 million for Penrith City Council to deliver the Indoor Multi Sports Facility project in Claremont Meadows.
  • $19.1 million for Penrith City Council to deliver the Cook Park Precinct Sport, Play, Grandstand & Mixed Recreation project in St Marys. The project will include a new amenities building, extended grandstand with spectator viewing facilities, a new synthetic playing surface, a walking circuit with pedestrian lighting, tree planting and landscaping.
  • $1.7 million for Penrith City Council to deliver the Andromeda Oval Storage, Sports Surface & Carpark Improvements project which will upgrade storage amenities at the existing facility, improved drainage and surface work to the eastern playing fields, upgrade to the existing multisport surfaces for netball and basketball and an extension to the existing car park.
  • $7 million towards the $41 million Gipps Street Recreation Precinct project to transform a 32-hectare former landfill site in Claremont Meadows into a multipurpose open space facility for the community.

Wollondilly

  • $5.2 million for Wollondilly Shire Council to upgrade the Waterboard Oval in Warragamba with new and improved facilities to accommodate soccer, cricket, AFL and various court sports.
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Record deal puts Australian Lucas Herrington on Premier League stage

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Image Credits: Hull City

Australia’s Lucas Herrington’s rapid rise has reached another major milestone. The 18-year-old Socceroos defender has joined newly promoted Hull City in a reported $33 million deal. The move makes Herrington the most expensive Australian footballer in history.

Hull City have signed the centre-back from Colorado Rapids on a five-year contract. The deal comes after a breakout year for the Queenslander.

World Cup breakthrough

Herrington emerged as one of Australia’s biggest young prospects at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He became the youngest Socceroo to start a World Cup match. His composed performances against top-level opposition helped put him on the radar of clubs in Europe.

After a rapid rise with the Brisbane Roar, where Herrington began his senior career, he then moved to Colorado Rapids in Major League Soccer.

Now he is heading to the Premier League.

Dream move to England

Hull won the race for Herrington after a strong push to bring him to England.

The club has just returned to the Premier League. It now hopes the teenager can help strengthen its defence.

Herrington has made no secret of his ambition. He described the chance to play in the Premier League as a dream come true. He also revealed that former Hull midfielder Jackson Irvine helped convince him the club was the right fit.

Irvine played alongside Herrington at the World Cup. His positive view of Hull gave the young defender added confidence in the move.

Herrington had attracted major interest from European clubs but his move will see him compete in the biggest league in the world.

Manchester United awaits

Herrington could make his Premier League debut on the opening weekend. Hull face Manchester United on August 22. The fixture offers a huge stage for the teenager.

It is also a remarkable next step for a player who only recently broke into the Socceroos. The reported $33 million fee has added plenty of attention. But Herrington’s focus will now shift to earning his place in Hull’s starting XI.

His move also highlights a growing pathway for young Australian players. After impressing on the international stage, At just 18 years old Herrington now has the chance to test himself every week in the Premier League.

Manchester City and Charlotte Soccer Academy join forces on youth development

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Image Credits: Charlotte Soccer Academy

Manchester City has announced a new youth soccer collaboration with Charlotte Soccer Academy (CSA) and PUMA. The partnership will bring Manchester City’s coaching methodology into CSA’s daily program.

Two full-time Manchester City coaches will relocate to Charlotte, and they will work alongside CSA coaches, players and club leaders. There will also be opportunities for Charlotte’s young players to move to Manchester.

Focus on young players

The main focus will be CSA’s Foundation Phase. That covers players aged 10 to 12, helping them create a foundation.

City coaches will introduce the club’s Play Model and development approach. The sessions will focus on technical skills and decision-making.

They will also help players build a positive relationship with the game. The program will extend across CSA’s wider U9-U12 competitive pathway.

Coaches will benefit too

The collaboration goes beyond player development. Manchester City staff will support CSA coaches throughout the club.

They will help with curriculum planning and coaching development.  The teams will also share best practices that could strengthen CSA’s wider player development pathway.

A pathway to Manchester

CSA players in the program will also have the chance to travel to Manchester each year.

The trips will include competitive matches and access to the Manchester City Academy. The partnership will give young players a direct connection to Manchester City’s football environment.

PUMA backs the project

PUMA is supporting the collaboration as a long-term partner of Manchester City and CSA. CSA has been a PUMA King Club since 2019.

The project brings the three organisations together around youth development. Players, parents and coaches will see the partnership in action from the 2026-27 season, with Manchester City coaches working on the field in Charlotte every day.

The move also marks another step in City’s growing youth soccer presence in the United States.

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