Rabbitohs reveal salary cap obstacle in re-signing big three as Centre of Excellence unveiled

While the future has arrived for South Sydney in the form of its $57 million centre of excellence, of more importance is the future of the club’s big three superstars.

While the future has arrived for South Sydney in the form of its $57 million centre of excellence, of more importance is the future of the club’s big three superstars. Picture: Tim Hunter

“From an elite athlete point of view, this is as good as anywhere in the world.”

South Sydney’s $57 million centre of excellence is almost complete, but the lack of clarity around the salary cap makes shoring-up the foundations of the Rabbitohs’ premiership roster more difficult.

News Corp was on Wednesday given an exclusive tour of South Sydney’s cutting-edge facility at Heffron Park, Maroubra.

Known as The Heffron Centre, Souths players will enjoy a breakthrough advantage when the building officially opens for the club’s round one match next season.

By then, the club would also like to have sorted the futures of its big three — Latrell Mitchell, Cody Walker and Damien Cook — whose contracts expire at the end of next season.

South Sydney’s big three of Damien Cook, Cody Walker and Latrell Mitchell remain unsigned beyond 2023. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

“We are in discussions which are progressing but ultimately it would be helpful to have a salary cap figure (from the NRL),” Solly said.

They are among 15 Rabbitohs players who rival clubs will be able to sign for the 2024 season from Tuesday.

While their next contract moves are on hold, the future has arrived for South Sydney.

Their new two-level site, located on Bunnerong Road, will include South Sydney’s new headquarters and adjoining community sporting premises.

South Sydney injected $4m into the project with the remaining costs coming from Randwick Council, State Government and Federal Government.

The Rabbitohs’ facility will incorporate a high tech gymnasium, office space for administration, commercial and community staff, Souths Cares (charity) classroom, Santa Ana couch playing field, digital team studio, indoor recovery pool, medical and rehabilitation rooms, altitude chamber, change rooms for NRL and NRLW teams – when the club is granted a women’s license – merchandise shop, lecture theatre and café.

A Souths’ Hall of Fame will adorn the walls.

South Sydney Rabbitohs CEO Blake Solly at the Heffron Centre. Picture: Tim Hunter

The community side will incorporate facilities for basketball, badminton, Futsal, volleyball, gymnastics and netball.

“From an elite athlete point of view, this is as good as anywhere in the world,” Solly said. “It is state-of-the-art and has everything the modern day rugby league club could want. This secures our future for the next 20 to 40 years. It’s a game changer.

“Redfern has been wonderful for us – and it will always be our spiritual home – but there are limitations about what we can do. We have grown out of it. This facility is purpose built for an NRL team in 2023 and we will get that.

“What we’re really proud of is that it’s not only a high-performance environment for our players but also a perfect home for Souths Cares.

“Community patrons can mingle with players. People can have a coffee next to Cody Walker or Latrell Mitchell. We want our club and players at the heart of the community – we wouldn’t want it any other way. The whole park will have a million visitors a year.”

Randwick Council Mayor Dylan Parker added: “This is the best of the best, as you would expect. The facility looks fantastic and I’m so proud of how it has unfolded and the community is even more excited.

“Souths are a key tenant here and we wouldn’t be able to deliver this fantastic cutting edge community facility without them.”

Two junior clubs already play out of the venue – Matraville Tigers and Coogee Wombats. Other sports to embrace Heffron Park include touch footy, cricket, tennis, Oztag, soccer, Australian Rules and cycling.

Everyone will share the same entrance and enjoy the same communal amenities.

The Heffron Centre is taking shape in Maroubra. Picture: Tim Hunter

Inside the Heffron Centre, which will be ready for the 2023 season kick-off. Picture: Tim Hunter

“This facility is definitely going to be first class for the area and the Bunnies. We have been able to learn from a lot of other Centre of Excellences and community facilities across the country and have tried to put those lessons learnt into this one,” said Todd Clarke, Randwick Council’s director of city services.

“We’ve got consultants that have worked in basketball arenas in America and NFL stadiums that have come out here in different capacities to work on this project.”

Solly also toured high performance centres through England and America before visiting similar facilities at Penrith, Brisbane and the NSWRL headquarters along with North Melbourne and Collingwood AFL clubs.

“We didn’t want to imitate them – we wanted something specific to Souths,” Solly said. Redfern Oval will continue to be used for local grand finals, junior clubs and games along with the NSW Cup.