Eastwood Rugby to call Castle Hill’s Fred Caterson Reserve home

An elite complex will be built for a Sydney Shute Shield rugby club in the sport’s heartland and will give fans a marquee team they have been ‘crying out for’.

Eastwood Rugby Union Club is making its new home at Castle Hill after the council last night signed off on the elite complex to be the centrepiece of Fred Caterson Reserve.

Eastwood Rugby welcomed Hills Shire Council’s approval of plans to establish the club’s elite rugby complex, which would be the major group to occupy the multi-sport precinct.

The rugby complex will feature three full-size playing fields — including a new home ground for Eastwood’s premier Shute Shield team with grandstand and terrace seating —

training facilities, spectator amenities, an administration centre and carpark.

Eastwood Rugby's new home will be at Fred Caterson Reserve at Castle Hill, featuring three rugby fields.

Under the council’s masterplan, Eastwood Rugby will become the long-term occupant of the site.

Eastwood’s move to Castle Hill follows the sale of its former home ground, TG Millner Sportsground at Marsfield, in 2017.

Eastwood Rugby chairman Rob Cusack said the complex would be ideal being based in one of Sydney’s fastest-growing areas.

Eastwood defends against Gordon in the Shute Shield grand final in October.

“Our new home at Castle Hill puts Eastwood Rugby in the heart of a major population centre that is projected to boom in coming years,’’ he said.

“It’s also a natural rugby catchment, with a strong rugby presence in local schools and clubs that is crying out for a local marquee team to get behind.”

He said, once completed, the club’s playing grounds and match-day facilities will be among the best in Sydney rugby.

“We can’t think of a better platform for developing our player base, attracting new members and spectators and, ultimately, positioning Eastwood as a long-term club rugby powerhouse in Sydney.”

The Hills Shire Mayor Michelle Byrne said the council was delighted with the opportunities the club’s proposal presented for elite rugby in the community.

“We are at the beginning of a process that will see the upgrade of this facility brought forward, which is great news for the local sporting community,’’ she said.

Work on the Fred Caterson Reserve masterplan will start next year.

Rugby Australia interim chief executive officer Rob Clarke said Eastwood’s new home was a win for northwest Sydney and the game.

“The Woods have a long proud history and over the years, they have become an icon of Sydney Club Rugby,’’ he said.

“A new base in this rapidly growing part of Sydney will no doubt strengthen the club, and

our game, long into the future and we look forward to seeing more games at all levels taking centre stage on the new fields.’’

NSW Rugby CEO Paul Doorn said the facility would support the game’s growth in a passionate sporting district, and expected it to drive participation and player development.

Eastwood Rugby will move to finalise masterplan documentation and lease

arrangements before beginning construction, expected early next year.

There will be multiple tennis courts.

Under the masterplan, the number of tennis courts at Fred Caterson Reserve will increase from 10 to 14 including a centre court, plus for Hot Shots courts, and an upgraded clubhouse and spectator facilities.

Field 6 is set to be expanded to full size FIFA field and incorporate a car park, while field 5 will feature a playground and multi-use activities area.

The BMX track will expand and include carparking, spectator facilities and race stopping areas.

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