Western Sydney Wanderers took another step on their journey to be the leading football club in Asia with the opening of their new $7 million Wanderers Fives facility at Wanderers Football Park today.
Featuring nine all-weather five-a-side FIFA grade synthetic turf pitches, Wanderers Fives will provide an integrated high-performance facility for community use and Western Sydney Wanderers talent development pathways.
The facility, which was funded through a $5 million NSW Government grant, also includes a clubhouse with office space, function room and change rooms, new amenities building, landscaping, and supporting infrastructure.
Wanderers Chairman Paul Lederer said Wanderers Fives was an investment for the local football community.
“Our brand-new Wanderers Fives facility will be the centrepiece of our community engagement with an expected 200,000 visitors per year,” said Mr Lederer.
“There is a significant football facilities deficit in Western Sydney and Wanderers Football Park shows our club is playing a major role to sustain and grow football in our community.
“On behalf of my fellow owners Jefferson Cheng and Glenn Duncan, I would like to thank the NSW Government and Office of Sport for their funding support for this project and hope to work in partnership with the NSW Government in the future to deliver more transformational football infrastructure projects in Western Sydney.”
Minister for Sport Alister Henskens said Wanderers Fives would provide a dedicated facility for the development of Western Sydney football talent as well as a home for community competitions.
“The Western Sydney Wanderers have a brief but highly successful history,” Mr Henskens said.
“The new Wanderers Fives facility will ensure the Wanderers continue to develop players that dominate not just the A-Leagues but Asian and world football just like current Socceroos stars and former Wanderers players Keanu Baccus, Mitch Duke, and Aaron Mooy.
“Featuring dedicated female facilities, Wanderers Fives will also help break down barriers in women’s sport and support the success of the Wanderers’ A-League Women’s team.”
Member for Parramatta Geoff Lee officially opened the facility on behalf of the NSW Government and said the project was part of a $1 billion sports facility construction boom across NSW.
“The NSW Government’s sports facility infrastructure program is creating thousands of construction jobs and providing an economic boost to our economy.”
Western Sydney Wanderers CEO Scott Hudson thanked the NSW Government for their support and belief in the Wanderers Fives project.
“We are delighted to open our Wanderers Fives facility at Wanderers Football Park today with the support of the NSW Government,” said Hudson.
“Our vision for Wanderers Fives has always been to make football more accessible as it addresses the significant football facility deficit here in Western Sydney.
“We are excited for Wanderers Fives to be a home ground for diverse multicultural groups, local clubs, and associations for years to come.
“Importantly for this project we have adopted strong sustainability measures including solar and battery storage, water capture and locally produced items including goals, turf, sand, and contractors to further promote the talent and resources we have in our own backyard.”
The project was funded through Round Two of the Greater Sydney Sports Facility which awarded $39.95 million to 22 projects for new and existing facilities to improve the quality and quantity of sports infrastructure for all sections of the community, including women, people with disability and multicultural communities.
Sign-up to play at www.wswanderersfc.com.au/fives
