The Parramatta Eels today opened the $70m Parramatta Eels Centre of Excellence (COE) and Kellyville Memorial Park Community Centre, the largest rugby league training precinct in the world.
Funded by the NSW and Australian Government, The Hills Shire Council and Parramatta Leagues Club, the precinct features five full-sized rugby league fields and is the first gender-equal elite facility in Australia with all training facilities replicated for men and women across NRL, NRLW and Elite Pathways programs.
The Community Centre, which stands beside the COE will be part of an international standard match venue with a 1,500-seat grandstand and multi-purpose function and community education rooms to enable the Club to expand its community programs and initiatives.
“The new Centre of Excellence and Community Centre is a landmark facility for our region — providing young footballers with a world-class facility to train, compete, and chase their dreams. The next Mitchell Moses could very well begin their journey right here,” The Hills Shire Mayor Dr Michelle Byrne said.
“This project is a great example of all three levels of government working together with a leading sporting organisation to deliver outstanding outcomes for our growing community and the ever-popular and rapidly growing rugby league.
“Council has played a key role in this development, delivering new playing fields, a 250-space car park, and a new access road from Stone Mason Drive.
Council’s Commitment
“This is part of Council’s broader commitment to creating Centres of Excellence across a range of popular sports — ensuring our community has access to premier facilities, inspiring participation, and supporting grassroots sports.
“It is an investment in the future of sport and about providing clear pathways for our local talents to reach the pinnacle of their sporting endeavours.”
Parramatta Eels CEO Jim Sarantinos said that this marks a transformative moment for the club and the community. “The Centre of Excellence will provide Eels men’s, women’s and pathways programs with world-class resources and the environment they need to thrive, while increasing participation across all forms of rugby league in one of the fastest-growing regions in Australia,” he said.
Federal Member for Parramatta Andrew Charlton said that nothing brings people together like sport.
“We’re proud to have backed the delivery of a space where connection, opportunity and community spirit can thrive. It’s inclusive, it’s local, it’s Eels and it’s everything we’re proud of in Parramatta.”
