NRMA Insurance Western Sydney Wanderers today announced a partnership with Blacktown City Council as part of the Blacktown Football Park (BFP) project.
Having been actively involved in helping develop future stages of the BFP project with Blacktown City Council, the Wanderers are proud to announce a formal agreement which will make Blacktown International Sportspark the Club’s long-term training and administration home.
The Wanderers have been working closely with the Council, Western Sydney Parklands Trust and Blacktown District Soccer Football Association to develop a football facility of regional, national and international importance with all facilities to be planned and designed to complement the magnificent setting that is Western Sydney Parklands.
Western Sydney Wanderers, Blacktown District Soccer Football Association, Western Sydney Parklands Trust and Council will continue to work collaboratively to finalise staging plans and approvals. Further details will be revealed over the next few months but it is planned to include a high quality Wanderers Training & Administration Centre, up to eight new football fields, a specialist half-training field and associated infrastructure, parking and landscaping.
Wanderers Chairman Paul Lederer said this development is the result of a lot of hard work from all parties which will deliver a prized asset for Western Sydney and result in an exciting future for the Wanderers.
“I am delighted that we have the opportunity to set down permanent roots in Blacktown and create a base that will be an incredible asset to Western Sydney,” said Lederer.
“Along with the announcement last week of our new stadium in Parramatta this is a very exciting time for the Wanderers and for the future of football in our region.
“We have the tools and the support to make a significant impact in the Australian sporting landscape and we plan to take this opportunity with both hands to deliver exceptional outcomes to our fans, members and our community – mark my words, this is a game changer.”
Wanderers CEO John Tsatsimas said that the announcement would not only drive football in the region but will maximise the Wanderers elite pathway creating the next generation of stars of the game.
“I echo the Chairman’s comments, this is a very exciting phase in our development,” said Tsatsimas.
“Our academy structure will be the backbone of the Club’s future and securing our headquarters in Blacktown allows us to be a central point in the growth of the region and the growth of football in this country.
“We thank the Mayor, Council and people of Blacktown for making this our home and look forward to creating a long and successful future here.”
But this is only the start of a project that will see Blacktown as the unrivalled base for grass roots and elite football in the State.
Looking to the future, a High Performance Centre overlooking the existing synthetic field is planned that will provide aquatics recovery, an indoor hall, cutting edge sports science, analysis rooms, gym and hospitality facilities for all Blacktown International Sportspark Sydney stakeholders and the community.
Not only have the Wanderers secured their training and administrative base, football in the City of Blacktown will also receive a huge boost as the next phase of the BFP project comes to life in the coming weeks.
An initial phase of the project will see three 1st class turf football fields constructed to compliment the FIFA rated floodlit synthetic field, seating, office accommodation and changing rooms that is home to the largest football association in NSW – Blacktown District Soccer Football Association.
Mayor of Blacktown City, Councillor Stephen Bali said the Blacktown Football Park Project demonstrates the City of Blacktown’s commitment to providing high quality facilities for grassroots and elite sport.
“Blacktown City is the sporting capital of Western Sydney. The range of sporting opportunities available in our City is second to none and provides for social activity, sporting pathways, international and elite competition” said Bali.
“With Western Sydney Wanderers and Blacktown District Soccer Football Association calling our great City home we believe we have brought together a powerhouse of football that will grow and grow in the most beautiful Parklands setting imaginable.”
Blacktown and Districts Soccer Football Association CEO Jack Taylor is looking forward to the positive impact the development will have on the growth of Football in the region.
“This next stage of the project will be a major boost for our 22 clubs and 10,300 players registered with our association” said Mr Taylor.
“For our Spartans’ National Premier League teams this will enable us to host home games across all divisions and major football competitions.”
