AFL welcomes Sydney Sportsgrounds upgrade

The AFL today welcomed the news of the NSW’s Government’s investment to upgrade the Sydney Showgrounds facility.

The AFL is pleased that the upgrade gives the Showgrounds the increased capacity to host Major Events including AFL games and has signalled it will commit to this as the ‘home’ ground for the 18th AFL team located in Greater Western Sydney.

This development is in fact instrumental in securing a second AFL team in Western Sydney and triggering more than $200 million of investment by the league in NSW.

AFL Chief Executive Officer praised the NSW Government for its foresight and said the AFL was pleased to be a key tenant in a development that would not only provide a home ground for a Greater Western Sydney side, but would also provide benefits for the Royal Sydney show and ensure the venue was able to secure more conferences and sporting and cultural events.

Mr Demetriou said as part of the AFL funding in Western Sydney, the AFL was happy to contribute $10 million into the Showgrounds project.

“We have always invested in facilities where we play AFL games and have previously invested millions of dollars in the SCG, ANZ Stadium, Blacktown Olympic Park and now the Showgrounds.”

Mr Demetriou praised NSW Premier Kristina Keneally and the Minister for Sport and Recreation Kevin Greene MP for their support of the Showgrounds development and a second AFL team in Western Sydney. He also thanked former State and Regional Development Minister, Ian McDonald.

“We have committed more than $200 million to build the game from the community level through to establishing a new team in Greater Western Sydney and we have had wonderful support from the community, business and government because of the hundreds of jobs and millions of dollars in tourism and economic benefits a sporting team brings,” Mr Demetriou said.

“This is a great announcement for the people of Western Sydney.  A revamped stadium playing home to another national sporting team also reinforces Sydney Olympic Park’s status as a central hub for major sporting and cultural events.”

Mr Demetriou said the Government had outlined that the funding for the development was dependent on the AFL Commission approving the licence.

He said the build for Team GWS was on track and securing a stadium outcome was one of the few outstanding issues before the Commission was able to formally award a licence to Team GWS.

He said that would happen when Team GWS officials appeared before the Commission in the coming months.

“Team GWS has created enormous momentum in developing business and community support and building a strong football department. They have a great team led by people of the calibre of Tony Shepherd, Dale Holmes, Kevin Sheedy, Graeme Allan, Alan McConnell, Tom Harley and former NRL administrators Grant Mayer and Andrew Hill.”

“Certainty around the stadium and around a home ground for the team will enable them to continue to build the foundations of a strong and successful club that can bring jobs, tourists and economic activity to the Greater Western Sydney for many years to come.”

 “We have committed more than $200 million to build the game from the community level through to establishing a new team in Greater Western Sydney and we have had wonderful support from the community, business and government because of the hundreds of jobs and millions of dollars in tourism and economic benefits a sporting team brings.”

Mr Demetriou said key features of the Showgrounds project would include:

– New grandstands to the North East and South East of the stadium.
– Total capacity of the stadium increasing from approximately 15,000 to 25,000, with all of this additional capacity seated.
– Installation of a new high definition video scoreboard and public address system
– Bringing the venue up to AFL Minimum Standards with new facilities for broadcasters, media, players and officials.
– In addition to the Royal Easter Show and home games for Team GWS, a multi purpose venue which could also be used by other sports including cricket, rugby league, rugby union and soccer as well as other forms of entertainment including concerts and festivals.
– Increased usage of existing infrastructure at Sydney Olympic Park including public transport, function facilities, restaurants and car parks.

Following the construction phase, the upgrade of the Sydney Showgrounds Main Arena and the establishment of Team GWS is:

– Estimated to generate an additional $40 million to $80 million economic impact per year for the New South Wales economy
– Estimated to generate an additional 400 to 800 full time equivalent jobs per year.