New South Wales Minister for Sport and Recreation, Graham Annesley, and AFL Chief Executive, Andrew Demetriou today officially opened and named Greater Western Sydney GIANTS new multi-million dollar training facility at Sydney Olympic Park.
“I’m proud to officially open the Tom Wills Oval, in recognition of a New South Welshman who was one of the pioneers of Australian Rules football,” Mr Annesley said.
Born in NSW in 1835, Wills is one of the founders of Australian Football and also a notable cricketer who attended the Rugby School and Cambridge University. He died in Melbourne in 1880.
He is honoured with a sculpture at the MCG which reads that Wills "did more than any other person - as footballer and umpire, co-writer of the rules and promoter of the game - to develop Australian football during its first decade".
“For the history buffs Tom Wills was born in NSW and it is fitting the man who is credited as one of the founders of the game is honoured in such a way,” Mr Annesley said.
“I congratulate the Sydney Olympic Park Authority (SOPA) on the development of this magnificent facility which will not only benefit the GWS Giants but also the community of Greater Western Sydney.
“This multi-million dollar investment will see part of the training complex used as a community playing field in keeping with the SOPA Master Plan,” Mr Annesley added.
The chairman of the Greater Western Sydney GIANTS Tony Shepherd thanked the NSW Government, the Sydney Olympic Park Authority and the AFL for their support.
"Today's launch is a very significant milestone for our club. It will not only give the Giants a permanent training oval and an elite facility to rival other AFL clubs but also enlarges our footprint across Western Sydney," Mr Shepherd said.
"I couldn't think of a more fitting name than the Tom Wills Oval and we are delighted it will also be available for community use so it can be shared with local sporting clubs."
Andrew Demetriou, AFL CEO, said “This next step in the Giants’ journey is a vitally important one as it guarantees the club’s long-term growth here in Sydney while ensuring the team benefits from some of the best facilities in the country.
“It will also further extend the Giants’ links to the western Sydney community by providing an elite level facility for local sporting clubs.
“We thank the NSW Government for their investment in making this training oval a reality and for their continued support of the Giants and indeed Australian football in NSW,” Mr Demetriou added.
