NSWRL reveal the $20m Centre of Excellence the Blues will call home
Take a look inside the benchmark for sporting excellence in NSW - the $20 million NSW Rugby League Centre of Excellence at Sydney Olympic Park, that Brad Fittler’s Blues will call home. EXCLUSIVE IMAGES.
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Welcome inside the benchmark for sporting excellence in NSW.
The $20 million NSW Rugby League Centre of Excellence at Sydney Olympic Park, where Brad Fittler’s Blues will call home, in nearing completion.
Alongside Fittler’s men, it’s where the NSW Under-16s, Under-18s and Women’s State of Origin teams will also plot the downfall of Queensland.
The Sunday Telegraph can give sports fans a first look inside the state-of-the-art facility set in the rugby league precinct designed to combat the ever-evolving threat of the AFL in NSW.
“From the moment the design phase begun, our mission has been to create a centre of sporting excellence — not a centre of mediocrity,’’ NSWRL CEO David Trodden said.
“We needed to think big — and you can see, we’ve achieved that.’’
Trodden has every right to boast.
The construction and design of the two-storey centre is reminiscent of the NFL team facilities the Sunday Telegraph has toured.
What’s noticeable is intentional focus on high-performance and it’s seamless flow starting from a manicured rugby league field, which leads you directly from the training pitch to a huge open-plan gymnasium.
From the gym, the hot and cold baths and continuous-flow pool, which players will use for both training and recovery, are similar to those at the Seattle Seahawks’ training base.
Through another door, the players can move from the gym to the sports science area for treatment of an injury or via another entry towards the slick dressing rooms.
No longer will the Blues get dressed, strapped and warm-up in the bowels under ANZ Stadium before an Origin clash.
At their new home, situated on Herb Elliott Avenue, directly opposite the stadium, the Blues entire preparation — right until kick-off — will be here.
From the second-floor mezzanine, which looks directly out over the training field, the Blues’ corporate partners will have an unprecedented view of the team’s Origin warm-up.
The centre also enables players to pull on their sky blue jersey in their own dressing room, receive Fittler’s final word and potential last-minute video from inside the 60-seat soundproof lecture theatre, before walking through a 50-metre tunnel — originally built for the 2000 Olympics — which links directly onto the field at ANZ Stadium.
Starting from Origin III next July, the Origin atmosphere inside the stadium will build and build as a camera following the players as they march through beams live onto ANZ’s big screen.
The tunnel will be illuminated by blue laser lighting and walls lined with images of past NSW heroes, including Brad Clyde, Andrew Johns, Steve Rogers, Laurie Daley and Fittler.
All the while the Maroons will be left to wait for the Blues to emerge.
History is paramount to the design and feel of the NSWRL Centre of Excellence.
Every room is named after an iconic NSW Origin player, past administrator or official.
There’s the Wayne Pearce Gymnasium, Laurie Daley Cardio-room, Dr George Peponis Medical room, John Quayle Lecture theatre, Ken Arthurson Boardroom, Brad Fittler Players Lounge, Bob Fulton Dressing Room, Bob Millward Museum and Andrew Johns and John Chalk meeting rooms.
Even highly-respected former NSWRL referee Paul Simpkins is recognised with a meeting room for match officials.
Fittingly, a mural featuring the Blues’ first series-winning captain Steve Mortimer, is the centre piece of the entrance and foyer of the centre.
The upper floor is where Trodden and the 45 NSWRL staff, including offices for the Men of League, Country Rugby League and Kari will commit to the growth of rugby league across NSW.
“Yes, this amazing precinct will undeniably create a world-class centre for excellence as far as our elite NSWRL under 16 and 18s women’s and State of Origin team is concerned,’’ Trodden said.
“But ultimately this centre will set the organisation up for the future and it’s a clear sign of progress for the organisation and rugby league as a whole.’’
NSWRL staff will begin moving into the centre on January 9 with an official opening set for February 5.
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