Caddies Creek Reserve’s Football centre of excellence plans

Stunning plans for a sporting complex complete with a soccer centre of excellence have been released. Such are the facilities it is hoped they will unearth the next Socceroo or Matildas star

A premier football centre of excellence proposed for the Hills could be the possible training grounds for future Matildas and Socceroos.

The vision for stage two of Caddies Creek Sports Complex has been released by Hills Shire Council including new football facilities at the Beaumont Hills grounds.

Four new football fields and a football centre of excellence for rising talent have been proposed as well as four multipurpose sports courts.

Caddies Creek Reserve Sports Complex draft masterplan for stage 2

Hills Football Association’s general manager Matt Rippon said an improved training facility would mean a “great deal” for the association and local footballers to have a “central base” in the Hills.

Mr Rippon said numbers for those joining the sport has boomed in the past year and the new grounds could offer training for all levels from budding footballers to representative teams.

“The hope would be access to the facility for 12 months a year to accommodate our growing winter competition (increased by 2000 players in 2021) and summer competitions which are amongst the biggest in NSW,” he said.

Mr Rippon said female football in all competition in the Hills grew by a staggering 20 per cent this season.

“We have also been successful via Hills United FC in obtaining a Senior Women’s representative program for 2022.

“For the first time in Hills history we have a pathway for future Matildas from grassroots to semi professional football.

Hills Football Association’s general manager Matt Rippon. Picture: Hills Football Association

“The legacy of the Women's World Cup will only mean continued growth across all levels and ages of female football in the area.”

While the GM said the current lockdown forced the abandonment of the season while two thirds in, he said he hopes the summer competitions will kick off in November.

“Unfortunately, due to the NSW Lockdown and respective community sport restrictions, HFI (as with all Sydney Associations) had to abandon our session approximately two thirds of the way through.

“Disappointing as this was our largest season on record with nearly 13,000 players.

“We hope to facilitate our summer competitions with a delayed start date of November however we will have to await the respective restrictions at the time.”
Hills Shire mayor Dr Michelle Byrne said the proposed plans would “enhance” the popular sports reserve to meet the demands for the Hills growing population.

“Caddies Creek Sports Complex is a favourite for residents and sporting groups, so we need to make sure it keeps pace with population growth, as well as community expectations and modern standards,” Cr Byrne said.

Caddies Creek Reserve. Picture: Hills Council

With Covid, she said there has been increased demand for outdoor sports grounds, parks and playgrounds.

“I'm very excited about these plans which show how Council is addressing court and field demands in The Hills, and providing more opportunities for play and relaxation,” she said.

Caddies Creek Sports Complex is home to several football, cricket and baseball clubs.

The site is currently owned by the NSW Government but a Hills Council spokeswoman said it is expected to be given to council as part of the rezoning of Bella Vista and Kellyville Precincts.

“Council understands the demand for more fields and wishes to start the planning process as soon as possible,” Cr Byrne said.

“This will make the facility closer to being shovel ready for when the land is dedicated to council.”

The draft masterplan is on exhibition until September 28 and can be viewed on the Hills Council website, thehills.nsw.gov.au
Hills Football Association with the support of Football NSW and Football Australia will be putting in an expression of interest after public exhibition.