The Western Sydney Wanderers officially opened Stage 1 of the club’s Centre of Football this morning.
The Wanderers Centre of Football at Blacktown features three elite training pitches housing the club’s elite men’s, women’s and academy teams, Westfield W-League and Hyundai A-League designated changerooms. physiotherapy, state-of-the-art gymnasium, offices and media centre.
A product of the vision of the Wanderers ownership group, Paul Lederer, Glenn Duncan and Jefferson Cheng, Director David Slade and CEO John Tsatsimas, the Wanderers Centre of Football will be one of the biggest club sports facilities in the country.
The 11-hectare development on the edge of Bungarribee Park on completion will include 9 pitches, grandstands facing two pitches, a new Academy facility and community offices complementing the current venue.
Wanderers Chairman Paul Lederer repeated his previous statements that the Wanderers have the tools to make a significant impact in the Australian sporting landscape.
“We have planned, paid for and delivered a facility in Western Sydney that in my opinion is unrivalled,” said Lederer.
“Along with my fellow owners and directors we have had this development at the heart of our long-term plans since our investment in the club in 2014.
“I said at the time that we have the tools and support to make a significant impact in the Australian sporting landscape and with this development we have done just that.
“The last three years of hard work today comes to fruition. With our Centre of Football, our new stadium in Parramatta and the support of our members and fans there has never been a more exciting time to be a part of this club and I am full of pride when I think of what we have achieved in such a short time.
“This couldn’t be done without certain people and I would like to personally thank Blacktown City Council Mayor Stephen Bali MP, our CEO John Tsatsimas and my fellow director David Slade for their impressive work to bring this project to life.”
Blacktown City Council Mayor Stephen Bali said the project reinforced Blacktown City’s commitment to transforming the city.
“Blacktown City is a sporting city, and we are committed to growing sport in Blacktown,” said Mayor Bali.
“We have spent the past few years planning to transform our great City and one of our key projects was to create a first-class training and administration centre for the Western Sydney Wanderers in what is and always has been the spiritual home of the Wanderers – and I think you will agree we have done just that.”
The Wanderers are a club for the people of Western Sydney and the Wanderers Centre of Football will house the majority of the Western Sydney Wanderers broader community programs which include but are not limited to:
• Male and female elite pathway development
• Female participation with a focus on body image; mental health; obesity and healthy eating;
• Programs for Seniors and the elderly;
• Migration settlement, activity and inclusion programs for CALD community across Western Sydney;
• Indigenous community engagement and participation activity and pathway opportunity;
• All-abilities football participation and activity;
• Host international teams and youth tournaments primarily using our football network across the Asian regional and other key markets.
Wanderers CEO John Tsatsimas said this venue will be the forge that shapes the Wanderers football future.
“While Bankwest Stadium is the jewel in the crown of our football club, our Centre of Football will be the forge that moulds our future generations of male and female talent,” said Tsatsimas.
“The Wanderers Centre of Football is not just an elite facility but will be a community asset as we deliver a wider
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