NSWRU begins Construction of new Training Base

Construction of a new home base for Rugby in NSW is officially underway, with the first soil turned on the site of what will be a state of the art Rugby Centre of Excellence at Aussie Stadium.

NSW Waratahs and Wallabies Adam Freier and David Lyons today broke ground on the site, which is located adjacent to the current NSW Rugby offices.

With the construction phase of the development now underway, it is envisaged the facility will be ready in time for the start of the 2007 Super 14 season.

“This is a historic day for NSW Rugby,” NSWRU Chief Executive Fraser Neill said.

“Not only will the Rugby Centre of Excellence be a home for the Union, its players and staff, but it will also make a bold statement about what we’re about and where Rugby is headed in this state.

“Rugby in NSW will have a home base for the first time in a long time, a solid foundation on which to build success on and off the field.”

The Rugby Centre of Excellence represents far more than just a home for the Waratahs and other NSW-run programs. The new facility will also be utilised by Australian teams from the Wallabies to Sevens, Under 19’s & 21’s, and the National Training Squad.

In all, it is envisaged approximately two-thirds of Australia’s professional players will make use of the facility on an annual basis.

Waratahs head coach Ewen McKenzie said the Rugby Centre of Excellence will be a massive boost for Australian Rugby on the whole.

"It’s fantastic to see development underway and to know that we will soon have a purpose built and dedicated Rugby Union facility in Sydney for the first time in many years,” said McKenzie.

“For a long time here in Sydney we have had to make do and compromise in order to develop our players.

“The new building means we'll have something tangible that will be cutting edge and beneficial to many levels of Rugby."

NSWRU President Ken Catchpole OAM, also speaking in his capacity as a Trustee of the Sydney Cricket and Sports Ground Trust, said the new building marks the start of a new era for both organisations.

“This is the start of a new 15 year agreement between NSW Rugby and the SCG Trust,” Mr. Catchpole said.

“The Rugby Centre of Excellence sets a new benchmark for player and administration facilities and I’m sure it will be the envy of Rugby organisations the world over.”

The multi-million dollar facility was designed to specifically cater to all facets of Rugby operations in NSW.

Practical team spaces, including gymnasium, recovery, medical, and conference rooms, have been incorporated into the ground floor design, while level one will be the home of NSW Rugby’s Sydney based staff.

Waratah and Wallaby prop Alastair Baxter, an Architect by profession, was involved in the design and planning phase and says from a playing perspective the new building will be first-rate.

“As a player you definitely benefit from having top class facilities and this will be one of the best around,” Baxter said from Brisbane, where he’s in camp with the Wallabies ahead of Saturday night’s Bledisloe Cup Test against the All Blacks.

“This building was specifically designed to have the best of everything, from purely operational spaces such as the gym to meeting rooms and places to relax during down time.

“To have such a sophisticated base at our disposal will certainly give our preparation for next season and beyond the best possible platform.”