From footy to childcare: ‘Grub’s new venture gets go-ahead

Retired NRL star Josh Reynolds has added another asset to his business portfolio after he won a court battle to turn two homes he owns in Sydney’s west into a new daycare centre.

Retired NRL star Josh Reynolds’ post-football career is set to enter the world of childcare centre owner, after he won a court battle to turn two homes he owns in Sydney’s west into a new daycare.

Reynolds has been involved in a number of different business ventures since his playing career of more than a decade ended in 2023.

But now the former NSW State of Origin representative will open a two-storey childcare centre in Belmore following his win in the Land and Environment Court last week.

Reynolds bought 16 Plimsoll St for $630,000 in 2012 and then six years later purchased 14 Plimsoll St for $1.2 million in 2018.

Reynolds has been involved in a number of different business ventures since his playing career of more than a decade ended in 2023. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

The neighbouring homes are just a few streets away from Belmore Oval which was his home ground during his 145-game career at the Bulldogs.

During the final year of his career in 2023, seemingly with an eye to the future, Reynolds put in a development application to Canterbury Bankstown Council seeking to demolish the two homes.

Instead he hoped to construct “a two-storey centre based child care facility for 70 children” which included “basement parking”.

While Reynolds was renowned as one of the craftiest five-eighths in the league at the peak of his playing powers, he chose not to overhaul the properties himself - instead employing architects Janssen Group to put together the proposed development plans.

But the initial application was rejected by Canterbury Bankstown Council, who ruled that it failed to meet a number of requirements.

Reynolds in his last game for the Bulldogs at Belmore Sportsground in 2023. Picture: Adam Yip

They included not having enough “unencumbered playspace” for children, and issues with traffic and parking, evacuation plans, available shade and off-street parking.

Reynolds appealed that decision to the Land and Environment Court, where after initially being set to go to hearing, the two parties were able to reach an agreement.

The approved application will allow Reynolds to build a slightly smaller daycare for 64 children, above a carpark with 16 spaces.

Reynolds’ move into the childcare business comes less than six months after he and fiancee Ciarne Denham welcomed daughter Lenora.

Reynolds declined to comment when contacted by The Daily Telegraph.