Three years after it was unveiled, the $30 million Macarthur FC sport centre of excellence at Cawdor has been promised a $7.5 million grant to complete stage one.
But there’s a catch: The Liberal-National Coalition have to win the next federal election, due by May 17.
Federal Member for Hume, Angus Taylor, who would be treasurer if there was a change of government, made the funding commitment at Campbelltown Stadium on Saturday evening, just before kick off in the Bulls match with Sydney FC.
The Macarthur and South West Sydney region would benefit from the proposed $7.5 million investment in the facility, Mr Taylor said.
The funding commitment would support the rapid rise of women’s and girls’ participation in football in this region.
A Dutton Coalition Government will deliver funding to begin stage one of construction.
The project will feature dedicated training areas, modern amenities, and community facilities to support grassroots football development.
The regional football facility, to be called Macarthur Park, will house the boys and girl’s youth academies and senior men’s and women’s teams, as well as a head office.
“The Macarthur and South West Sydney region is the fastest growing in NSW, and infrastructure investment is critical to supporting that growth,” Mr Taylor said.
“Football is the region’s highest participation sport across all codes, and we have seen an incredible surge in female participation, inspired by the success of the Matildas and Socceroos on the international stage.”
Mr Taylor was joined by a current Liberal MP Melissa McIntosh (Lindsay), two candidates, Binod Paudel (Macarthur) and Sam Kayal (Werriwa), along with Bulls director Gino Marra.
“Today’s announcement demonstrates our commitment to making this sports facility a reality,” said Mr Kayal.
For his part, Mr Paudel said committing to this funding would secure the future of football in the region.
“The location of the facility will accommodate for the massive growth in this region and ensure that families do not need to travel long distances to access the best facilities,” he said.
Ms McIntosh, who is also shadow minister for Western Sydney, said the commitment was crucial to supporting the next generation of footballers and ensuring women and girls have access to world-class training facilities.
“This investment is all about ensuring women and girls have the infrastructure they need to thrive in the sport they love,” she said.
The project will be delivered in two stages with stage one to include a 3000 sqm regional football facility with six changerooms and four playing fields.
Pictured above, from left, Binod Paudel, Melissa McIntosh, Angus Taylor, Gino Marra and Sam Kayal.
