SCG Trust powers expanded to include all stadiums
Alexandra Smith
June 23, 2020 — 7.36pm

The powerful Sydney Cricket & Sports Ground Trust will have control of all the state's stadiums as part of a new super agency to run NSW's sporting and entertainment venues.

Businessman and the chair of the SCG Trust Tony Shepherd will lead the body, to be created through a merger with Venues NSW, the government agency responsible for all stadiums including ANZ.

Sydney Olympics mastermind and SCG Trust deputy chair Rod McGeoch will be deputy chair of the new body and members of the board are likely to include radio broadcaster Alan Jones and Venues NSW chair Christine McLoughlin.

Mr Shepherd, who had planned to stand down as chair of the SCG Trust when his term expires in October, said the agency would put NSW "in a very strong position" for world class events.

"When we have the new Sydney Football Stadium, as well as ANZ and Bankwest at Parramatta, we will have the best stadiums in the country and this will put us in a strong position to bid for international tournaments in men and women's sport," Mr Shepherd said.

He said this could include the 2027 Rugby World Cup as well as major concerts.

"This is timely because COVID gave us time to pause and think and the Premier called this and she has absolutely made the right decision because this will make a big difference," Mr Shepherd said.

The merger comes after the Berejiklian government last month dumped its plan to redevelop ANZ Stadium and will redirect the $800 million saving to a new $3 billion infrastructure and job fund.

A new super trust, which would have included the SCG Trust, was announced by former premier Mike Baird in 2015 when he unveiled plans to spend $1.6 billion upgrading stadiums.

But in 2017, the state government reneged on the commitment to combine the SCG Trust with other organisations that run publicly owned sporting grounds and it remained a standalone entity.

Acting sports minister Geoff Lee said the new body, which is yet to be named, would attract blockbuster events and drive economic activity.

"This merger is about placing NSW in the best possible position to attract the most exciting and sought after events so the entire state can benefit from the economic stimulation," he said.

"We have made the investment in stadiums and infrastructure which are the envy of the world and now it’s time to ensure we get maximum returns."

An interim advisory board will oversee the development of the operating model for the body, and will include long-standing board members of the SCG Trust and Venues NSW.

The Trust, which manages the Moore Park sporting precinct, including the SCG and the Allianz Stadium site, has a reputation as one of Sydney’s most powerful institutions and exclusive clubs.

Other members of the high-powered SCG Trust board include former News Corp chairman John Hartigan and former Deutsche Bank and ABC chairman Maurice Newman.

All Venues NSW and SCG Trust contracts, agreements and membership entitlements with sporting codes, clubs, partners and members would "be honoured and preserved by the merged entity".

But Labor's sports spokeswoman Lynda Voltz said the merger was "too little, too late".

She said the Berejiklian government had ignored a key finding in a 2015 report into Sydney's sporting venues by former NSW Liberal leader John Brodgen.

"The Brogden report recommended [a super trust] be the first step in the stadium strategy, which would underpin Mike Baird's announcement that ANZ Stadium be the first to be redeveloped," Ms Voltz said.

"The failure to put the SCG Trust in Venues NSW from the beginning has led to the outcome we have today which is ANZ Stadium is not being redeveloped and the Sydney Football Stadium is."

The creation of the body was approved by NSW cabinet on Monday.

FFA bid to establish 'Home of Football' in time for 2023 World Cup
By Dominic Bossi
June 24, 2020 — 12.01am


Football Federation Australia has taken the first steps towards building a lasting legacy from a World Cup on home soil by signalling their intent to transform the old St George soccer stadium into a permanent 'home of football' in time for the 2023 Women's World Cup.

A joint Australia-New Zealand bid has emerged as the frontrunner to win the hosting rights for the tournament and if Friday morning's FIFA vote goes in their favour, the Matildas could have a state-of-the-art facility a stone's throw from Sydney's airport to call their training base.

FFA is lobbying the NSW government to help fund a training and administration centre that will serve as the long-term home for the Socceroos, Matildas and junior national teams down to under-15 age groups, as well as coaching and refereeing training centres - and has identified the old home ground of Johnny Warren's St George-Budapest as the preferred site.

The governing body on Tuesday lodged a formal inquiry with the venue's owners, Bayside Council, about using the Barton Park precinct.

"We received the letter this afternoon from James Johnson, FFA chief executive," Bayside mayor Joe Awada said. "We will go through what’s been offered and what the benefits are to the local community. I am happy to talk to Football Federation Australia and keep them it in mind but at this stage it is very early to say."

Bayside Council released a draft masterplan for the redevelopment of the site, which includes the provision for an elite football field and renovation of the existing stadium. Senior FFA sources suggested it is the preferred site for the proposed centre but not the only option available to the organisation.

The venue is regarded as an ideal location due to its historical and symbolic significance and proximity to the city and airport in the game's most popular state.

Should Australia and New Zealand's bid be selected ahead of Colombia in the early hours of Friday morning, FFA's hopes of seeking government funding will receive a significant boost.

As revealed by the Herald on June 5, the organisation will request the NSW government allocate funds previously reserved for the ANZ Stadium renovations to instead build grassroots football facilities, including its permanent home.

Much like St George Park in England, Clairefontaine in France or Coverciano in Italy, the proposed venue in Sydney will be used for community programs such as Miniroos and multicultural events when it is not being used by national teams.

FFA's home of football in Sydney will be complementary to a women's football facility in Melbourne, which senior FFA sources suggest will be used by the Matildas for games in Victoria.

Meanwhile, Australia and New Zealand will head into Friday morning's vote with no questions around support from their respective governments after the prime ministers of both countries reaffirmed their commitment to the tournament.

Having already pledged a combined $110 million towards hosting the tournament, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Australian counterpart Scott Morrison released a joint statement on Tuesday, assuring FIFA's council of federal government support.

"An Australia-New Zealand FIFA Women’s World Cup would embody our passion for women’s football and proud commitment to equality and fairness, creating a profound and enduring legacy for the future of women’s football within the region and beyond," the joint statement read.