Local footballer Brett Emerton, who played 95 times for Australia, said he wished there was a sport centre of excellence when he was growing up in Campbelltown.
Emerton was one of several local sport stars who attended this morning’s announcement by Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and Macarthur MP Russell Matheson that if re-elected the Turnbull Government would fund the proposed centre at a site inside the Campbelltown campus of the University of Western Sydney.
Ms Bishop pledged funding of just over $7 million to get the project off the ground.
Emerton, who was there alongside sport stars Amy Harrison, Hannah Trethewy and John Skandalis, said after the announcement that the centre would be a massive boost for sport in the south west.
“There was nothing like that when I was growing up; I wish there was, it would have been really good for me,’’ Emerton said.
A smiling Russell Matheson said: “This is a wonderful announcement for the Macarthur region.’’
The details were provided in the announcement by Ms Bishop, who said: “A re-elected Turnbull Government will provide federal government funding to support the establishment of a centre of excellence in sport, here in Campbelltown.
“The federal government will provide a grant of $7.23 million with funding from Campbelltown City Council, Urban Growth NSW, and Western Sydney University.
“There will also be support from Cricket NSW, from the AFL, and Wests Tigers,’’ Ms Bishop said.
“This will be an enormous boost to the local community. Not only will the facility be available for elite athletes for their necessary training, but also for developing junior talent.
“There will also be a significant community element – it will be available for the public, who will be able to use the wonderful facility that will be established here as well as the health and medical facilities.’’
Ms Bishop said that the Western Sydney University will play an important role through the sports science research facilities that will be established as part of the sport centre of excellence.
“I have seen the plans by Campbelltown Council and it is a really exciting development for western Sydney and for the seat of Macarthur.
“There will also be facilities for people with disabilities, and disadvantaged members of the community.
“It will also mean more jobs for the region, not only in infrastructure, in the construction stage, but also in maintenance and administration of this facility.
“I want to pay tribute to Russell Matheson who, first as a councillor and then as a member of parliament, fought hard for funding to make what was his dream a reality,’’ Ms Bishop said.
Also attending the announcement was the chief executive of the South West Academy of Sport, Gerry Knights, who confirmed his organisation would be based out of the centre once it was established.
Campbelltown Council was represented by Mayor Paul Hawker and general manager Lindy Deitz.
