Henson Park: Plans could see AFLW Swans play in Marrickville

It’s an ageing oval with a rich history tied with one of Sydney’s most iconic clubs. Now it could be home to a brand new AFLW franchise. SEE THE PLAN HERE.

The heart of the inner west is set to be transformed into a footy Mecca with the AFL’s Sydney Swans women eyeing up a new shared home with the Newtown Jets

The clubs are likely to play 20 games each at Marrickville’s Henson Park once the ageing ground gets a facelift.

Proposed upgrades to Henson Park in Marrickville to prepare it for the Sydney Swans AFLW first bounce in 2022.

The Swans AFLW team will have their first run out in the competition at Henson Park when their inaugural campaign kicks off in December 2022.

The $7.4 million upgrades.

Their arrival at Marrickville, however, hinges on $7 million redevelopment plans for the grandstand at the oval to make it ready for elite level sporting events in time for the first bounce.

Those upgrades, according to council documents will not be finished by the time the 2022/2023 season starts.

Inner West Council has agreed to bring $500,000 to the table, after already spending $2 million on the ground, with the Jets and the AFL set to make up the difference.

The current grandstand.

The upgrades have been on the cards since 2018 but have stalled in part because the council could not get a grant from the state government because no development application had been lodged.

Former mayor and current councillor Darcy Byrne, who has been vocal in his support to bring footy to the inner west, said it would create opportunities for the next local superstar.

“This will be a huge shot in the arm for girls and women’s sport in the inner west,” he said.

Chad Townsend kicking goals before the season was canned after one round because of Covid. Picture: Tim Hunter.

The upgrades would mean more people packed into the crowds. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Bianca De Marchi

“There’s an enormous number of Swans fans in the inner west community and women’s sport is booming and so is AFL. This could take it to the next level.”

Both sporting codes have lodged preliminary designs showing the state-of-the-art facility being proposed.

Last year the $2 million ground upgrades at the park were heralded by the Jets as securing their long term future playing in the Canterbury Cup.

On Tuesday night Inner West Council agreed to support both sporting organisations’ plans to lodge a development application and push the project along, among other measures to ensure it gets over the line.