After a decade of disappointment, the Wests Tigers will finally take a gigantic step into the 21st century when they walk into their new centre of excellence in Concord for the first time on Monday morning.
On the eve of its opening, the Herald was given a tour of the $78m Concord Oval transformation which now houses the best rugby league training facility in the world.
It’s only fitting that when the players walk through Tigers headquarters they will walk past the club’s most iconic player in Benji Marshall, whose life-size poster has been glued alongside the entry doors.
The opening will coincide with the changing of the guard at the Wests Tigers, as they head back to future under Tim Sheens, Marshall and Robbie Farah from next season.
The Tigers’ training facilities have long been the laughing stock of the league, but after two decades of running a high-performance sports program out of dilapidated venues their new home is the envy of them all.
“Tim Sheens hasn’t been here for some time now, but he tells the story that he ran a weights program out of a container at one stage,” Wests Tigers chief executive Justin Pascoe said.
The new swimming pool, ice bath and steam room at the Wests Tigers’ Concord Oval training facility.Credit: Nick Moir
“So for him to come into this and see what it actually provides the playing group and coaching staff in particular, he’s amazed by it. And Benji can’t speak highly enough of it.
“We’re not silly enough to think that just because we’re going into a world-class facility that it automatically defines a change in results. In the end it comes down to the culture, the people and the standards. We’re very firm on that.”
The facility includes a multi-lane swimming pool (with a custom-made Wests Tigers logo mosaic), ice bath and heated bath for recovery and rehabilitation. There’s also a steam room and sauna.
The gym, arguably the biggest of all NRL clubs, also includes a wrestling arena and a mini-scaled league field for team walkthroughs.
There is even a barber at the new Concord Oval.Credit: Nick Moir
The facility will be home to both the football department and the club’s administration.
The NRL head coach’s office, which currently has Sheens’ name tag and mug on the desk, overlooks the gym.
There’s also a theatre, sleeping room, mental health hub, barbecue area, juice bar and barber included in the facility.
The club has also paid tribute to the history of both Balmain and Western Suburbs, erecting a walk of fame with the greatest players from the Tigers and Magpies on display through the corridors.
Alex Twal takes a stroll down the club’s walk of fame.Credit: Nick Moir
The second stage of the complex is still under construction but will include multi-purpose sports courts for basketball, netball and indoor soccer.
Pascoe has copped the brunt of criticism in regards to the team’s on-field performances under his rein.
However, his legacy at the club will be the lobbying with government and corporate partners to turn the club’s dreams into a reality.
Inspired by visits to the New York Jets, New York Giants, LA Dodgers and Atlanta Braves facilities in the United States, the centre of excellence takes into consideration all aspects of the business.
The gym also includes a wrestling arena.Credit: Nick Moir
The Tigers have been the nomads of the NRL, shifting home grounds and training bases throughout the joint venture’s existence.
They’ve traditionally spent more time at training than other teams given how much time they spend on the road between different sessions.
“We’ve been in and around different places, training in Leichhardt, training in Concord, training in Campbelltown,” prop Alex Twal said.
“To have one ground where it’s a one-stop shop where we can do all our things from here, it’s going to be a massive boost for the players, especially for us players who have been here quite a few years.
There is a separate NRL and NRLW dressing room.Credit: Nick Moir
“It’s been a long time coming. It’s going to be a really good thing for the club. We’ve never had something like this at the club. There’s a lot of exciting times ahead.”
The club has long been using images and simulated footage to show prospective players and coaches the new facility.
They took Cameron Ciraldo through the facility when they tried to lure him to the club, and also showed Isaiah Papali’i around when he first started to get cold feet.
“I think it will definitely boost our recruitment,” Twal said.
The training ground at Concord OvalCredit: Nick Moir
“When you’re coming in to a new club and you see these sorts of facilities and opportunities to work around this space, I think it’s definitely going to be something that people and players look forward to.
“It means so much to the players. It’s only going to be a positive for the club going forward, and the team.”
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