November 2018
The NSW Government has today announced funding for a new Centre of Excellence for NSW Rugby, which will serve as both a high performance home and community hub.
A $20 million contribution from the NSW Government will see an investment in facilities and initiatives to improve community wellbeing and grow the game of rugby based at the existing David Phillips Sports Complex at Daceyville.
Minister for Sport, Stuart Ayres said the new Centre will play a vital role in continuing to develop rugby in Australia with training grounds, a gymnasium, recovery centre, education facilities, technology centre, club rooms and an administration centre.
“This is fantastic news for rugby in NSW. This new world-class high performance facility will be the envy of rugby administrations across the world and will support the development of the game and the next generation of rugby talent,” Mr Ayres said.
“But this facility will be so much more than that, with health and wellbeing support and services that will assist the broader community.”
The NSW Positive Rugby Foundation, official charity partner of NSW Rugby, will also be based at the new facility. Alongside the Foundation, NSW Rugby will oversee the development and implementation of community programs to encourage and support increased state-wide participation among indigenous and cultural and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities as well as participants with a disability.
To ensure the site supports the wider community, NSW Rugby has also committed to making the new Centre a home to five charities that deliver services in the areas of mental health, indigenous development and health.
“NSW Rugby should be extremely proud of their commitment to having charity partners on the premises, allowing them to work closely with the community to expand the good work rugby does all around the State,” Mr Ayres said.
NSW Rugby CEO Andrew Hore said this investment is a massive boost for the organisation in achieving a home for the whole of the game, from our administrators, charity partners, rugby supporters, members and our NSW representative teams.
“We are extremely grateful to the State Government for their support and investment in our communities and sport,” Hore said.
“While there will be an element of high performance to continue to produce the best male and female rugby talent in Australia at all levels, this facility represents the communities that make up our game.”
With architectural details expected to be finalised shortly, construction of the new facility is anticipated to commence towards the end of 2019.