Parramatta reveal plans for state-of-the-art high-performance centre

Parramatta will take the next step in their quest to secure their place as a rugby league powerhouse with plans for a state-of-the-art high-performance centre in Sydney’s northwest.

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Parramatta will take the next step in their quest to secure their place as a rugby league powerhouse with plans for a state-of-the-art high-performance centre in Sydney’s northwest.

On Monday the Eels announced a $40 million proposal to build the largest community rugby league facility in Australia at Kellyville Park, which was previously home to AFL in the area.

Having run the broom through their historically troubled board and moved into their sparkling new home at Bankwest Stadium, the Eels are now thinking even bigger.

And part of that will see Parramatta slam the door shut on gender inequality by including purpose-built facilities catering specifically to women.

Parramatta CEO Bernie Gurr announces the new facility. Image: Brett Costello

In a historic move away from the Parramatta CBD, the Eels’ new headquarters in Kellyville will include:

*FOUR international rugby league fields, with plans for a fifth;

*AN elite standard match venue and a 1000-seat grandstand to watch juniors and women’s matches; and

* A 5000 square-metre state-of-the-art community facility that will also house the club’s high-performance centre.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal Parramatta’s newly proposed high performance centre will feature women’s dressing rooms the same size and having the identical amenities as the men’s, including ice baths and physiotherapy and medical facilities.

It’s big news for Brad Arthur’s future at the club. Image: Brett Costello

Previously at the old Parramatta Stadium, the Eels’ women’s side was forced to change before games in the old dressing sheds at nearby Kings Oval.

“This multistage project will see men and women’s rugby league accessing their own dedicated facilities within in the same venue,” a Parramatta spokesman said.

“This will be the first time that male and female rugby league will have access to the same state-of-the-art high performance facility and for the first time see NRL and NRLW players being developed from grassroots level via the Eels youth academy.”

How the planned $40 million headquarters will look. Image: AAP Image/Parramatta Eels

Parramatta announced the club had secured a $15 million Federal Government grant to start construction of a facility which will include four first-class rugby league fields.

It will also offer an elite standard match venue — including a 1000-seat grandstand — and 5000 square state of the art community facility which will also house a high performance centre for the Parramatta Eels.

“This project will provide a world-class sporting facility that will enable our NRL team and youth academy programs to be housed in one state of the art venue and enhance our capacity to give back to the community,” Eels chief executive Bernie Gurr said.

Some much-needed good news after a tough weekend on the field. Image: AAP Image/Dave Hunt

The Hills Shire Council and Parramatta Eels have begun finalising designs for stage one of the ambitious project.

Parramatta’s NRL training facilities and club administration could be ready at Kellyville as early as 2020. Construction of Parramatta’s high performance centre will start in two to three years.

The high performance centre will also house Canterbury Cup, Eels Youth Academy for NRL, Touch Football and League Tag teams.

“Northwest Sydney has been one of Australia’s fastest growth corridors for decades now and this Federal investment in more playing fields, better sports facilities is vitally needed,” Federal Member for Mitchell Alex Hawke said.

“Not only will the Eels programs be right here in Kellyville, but touch teams, women’s team, young people and disability teams. This is a huge win for the Hills District and Western Sydney.”

The Federal Opposition has also backed the facility.

“Council has been working collaboratively with the Parramatta Eels on the vision for a community and a high performance centre that will provide opportunities for our residents to play sport at the highest levels and ensure grassroots rugby league receives the highest standard facilities,” said Hills Shire Mayor, Dr Michelle Byrne

“We look forward to finalising the designs of the project together and working with all the relevant parties in delivering this great vision.”

The new facility will support various community groups including wheelchair rugby league, Try Time, Physical Disability Rugby League and the NRL School to Work program.

“This will be a great project for the whole community, with better facilities for kids playing footy, and we congratulate the club,” said Federal Member for Parramatta, Julie Owens.

Originally published as Parramatta reveal plans for state-of-the-art high-performance centre