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Federal Labor supports Riverstone project
21.08.10 06:00
The Hon. Anthony Albanese, Leader of the House; Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government alongside the Federal Labor candidates for Greenway, Michelle Rowland, Chifley, Ed Husic, and Macquarie, Susan Templeman was at Valentine Sports Park on Wednesday. (Photos by Gavin Leung)
In what is considered a ground breaking development for football in Australia, Football NSW’s proposed multimillion dollar state-of-the-art sporting complex in Riverstone; located in Sydney’s North West, has received significant financial support from the Federal Government in the lead up to this Saturday’s federal election.
The Hon. Anthony Albanese, Leader of the House; Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government alongside the Federal Labor candidates for Greenway, Michelle Rowland, Chifley, Ed Husic, and Macquarie, Susan Templeman was at Valentine Sports Park to make this historic announcement.
“This is a major infrastructure project with regional significance,” Anthony Albanese said.
“The new Football Academy will support a pathway for youngsters here in Western Sydney and beyond.
“Sydney is the heartland of football in Australia.
“Six of our biggest Socceroo stars - Harry Kewell, Tim Cahill, Lucas Neill, Brett Emerton, Mark Schwarzer and Jason Culina - grew up playing on fields in Sydney. We hope our investment can continue that production line,” Albanese ended.
The Riverstone project is due for completion in 2012 and will offer a number of modern facilities:
· 9 purpose built quality football pitches (with the ability to be developed to 15 football pitches in future years)
· A boutique stadium (approx 3,000 seats) designed to showcase major Football
NSW and events
· Indoor swimming pool complex
· Multi-purpose indoor sporting centre including two international sized Futsal courts
· Advanced gymnasium
· Official Football NSW offices
· Licensed club and function centre
· Hotel accommodation, and
· A private Football College (this will be the first private Football College in Australia)
Riverstone West is a release precinct being developed as employment lands by the Mastergroup.
Aside from the commercial considerations aimed at securing the organisation’s financial future via ongoing revenue streams, Football NSW is creating a facility that is perfect to develop football and its growing talent pool in NSW.
Football NSW President Jim Forrest was elated following confirmation of the Federal Government’s support for the Riverstone project.
“We will develop a state of the art, purpose built sporting complex to help develop the game of football in NSW from grass roots to the elite level. Along with the funding provided by the Government, all of our investment from our existing Parklea complex will be realised and invested in Riverstone West.”
Football NSW CEO Michael Quarmby was equally as delighted and is looking forward to the potential opportunities available at Riverstone West.
“We’re excited about the opportunities that this complex will provide Football NSW members and the general public. In developing a state of the art sporting facility it will, in future, be able to help fund and support our Associations and Clubs and provide a broad complex for Elite Development, Grassroots, Community, Education and facilities to host other sports and interest groups."
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