Construction of a $16.9m rugby league hub is underway in Broadmeadows, a development which will benefit grassroots rugby league in Victoria and become the new home for NRL Victoria and Touch Football Victoria.
The Rugby League State and Community Centre will boast a female-friendly pavilion including high-performance training and recovery facilities, a show pitch and two additional competition/training pitches, plus administrative facilities.
The development has been made possible due to a $12 million investment by the Victorian Government, with contributions from the NRL, Melbourne Storm and the City of Hume to develop facilities for local club Northern Thunder as part of the project.
Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence today visited the site to mark the start of construction.
"This is a record investment in Victorian rugby league," she said.
"It’s fantastic that work has started – the benefits for elite women, developing young stars and local grassroots players will be substantial."
We thank the Victorian Government for its support - this new centre and administrative hub will give the sport a real boost in Victoria and even better define the pathway for our next generation of champions.
Brent Silva NRL Victoria General Manager
Melbourne Storm chief executive Justin Rodski said the facilities would be a "game changer" for rugby league in the state.
"It's a game changer for the thousands of talented young girls and boys who aspire to play our great game across Victoria," Rodski said.
"It will also be a great venue for Storm to train and run community programs in Hume, giving more young people the chance to see their idols in person."
Hume City Council Mayor Joseph Haweil said the council was proud to embark on the project.
"We are proud to work with our partners to provide our community with a state-of-the-art sporting facility," Haweil said.
"The accessible facility will open up opportunities for the growing numbers of local rugby players to enjoy their sport and lead a healthy and active lifestyle.
"This development will not only see Hume host even more sport, but it will boost the local economy and provide local jobs now and into the future."
The project is due to be completed in mid-2022 and will create upwards of 35 jobs in construction.
