Sydney Swans plan move to Royal Randwick
THE Sydney Swans have announced plans to relocate — to the middle of Royal Randwick racecourse.
Southern Courier
Don't miss out on the headlines from Southern Courier. Followed categories will be added to My News.
THE Sydney Swans could soon be training on a purpose-built Australian rules oval inside Royal Randwick racecourse.
The Australian Turf Club (ATC) and the AFL have joined forces and are exploring the building of a training oval along with facilities inside the racecourse.
The Swans will soon no longer have a full-sized AFL ground to train on due to the light rail construction along Anzac Pde encroaching on their Lakeside Oval base at Moore Park.
“We are passionate about exploring new facilities for our great game, to accommodate the growth in particular in eastern Sydney,’’ AFL NSW/ACT CEO Sam Graham said. “Royal Randwick would represent an iconic location for AFL to thrive into the future.”
If the oval is approved by Randwick Council, the organisations say it would provide new spaces and facilities for the community, as well as being used as pre-season training venue for the Sydney Swans’ senior and NEAFL sides and the Swans Academy.
The space may also mean the Swans could establish an AFLW team in coming seasons.
The ATC and AFL are also floating fan and family days at Royal Randwick and Rosehill Gardens for the Swans and GWS Giants.
“Sharing our great racecourse Royal Randwick with the local community and sporting clubs is another important outcome for our Club,” ATC vice-chair Trish Egani said.
Earlier this month the Courier revealed the Swans had submitted plans with Cricket NSW for a joint training base at Astrolabe Park in Daceyville.
The plans included a cricket oval and pavilion, an AFL field and pavilion, administration buildings, indoor training and rehabilitation facilities and a cafe.
There would also be a playground, outdoor cricket nets, a walking/cycling track and parking facilities. It would also be home to UNSW’s cricket and AFL clubs.
It was proposed the sporting organisations would move to the new centre in April 2019.