The project, made possible by an investment of more than $101 million from the Victorian Government, is developing the Home of the Matildas and providing a world-class training base for Football Australia to train its national women’s squads.
It will also provide a home for Football Victoria to base its administration and run high performance training, development and recovery activities. It will include a show pitch with a grandstand, and four additional pitches.
Football Victoria President, Antonella Care said this world class precinct will support not only our national teams, but provide the entire Victorian football family with facilities and opportunities never before seen in our state.
The project will develop a base and facilities for Rugby Victoria as well. The State Rugby Centre of Excellence will provide training, development and recovery facilities for high performance players, and match day facilities for the Melbourne Rebels Super W team. It will include three rugby pitches and a grandstand.
Rebels Chairman and Rugby Victoria Director Paul Docherty said once complete this facility will enable young Victorian men and women to progress to the rugby world stage and importantly see Victoria play a critical role in Australia’s hosting of the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
La Trobe University’s students will also benefit from the partnership with the two sporting codes, by having access to many of the facilities, student placements and research studies.
Vice-Chancellor of La Trobe University John Dewar said it’s exciting to see this major development start to take shape at our world-class Sports Park, delivering even greater benefits to our students and the community in Melbourne’s north.
“We can’t wait to welcome the Matildas, Football Victoria and Rugby Victoria to La Trobe,” he said.
This will provide a huge boost to the university’s standing as a leading provider of higher education in sport, attracting students and funding for research.
Grassroots community sports club are also winners, with extensive access to most facilities for training and development programs a key priority of the project.
The Home of the Matildas is due for completion by March 2023, ahead of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023.
The Victorian State Rugby Centre of Excellence and the remainder of the project will be finished later next year.