Get excited: work on Wyndham’s Regional Football Facility is almost complete, with Western United Football Club to move in and get ready for their first home matches.
Featuring three pitches, a two-storey pavilion and capacity for 5,000 spectators, the state-of-the-art facility will host both Liberty A-League Women matches and Isuzu UTE A-League Men matches.
Wyndham City Mayor, Councillor Jennie Barrera, said this milestone marked the first stage of Council’s landmark A-League Stadium Project with Western Melbourne Group (WMG).
The next stage of the project, led by WMG, will deliver a purpose-built 15,000 capacity soccer stadium and 800 lot residential community, with WMG recently announcing YourLand Developments and Johnson Controls as major project partners.
“It’s been a long time coming, and we are so excited to welcome Western United to its rightful home in Tarneit,” Cr Barrera said.
“Our priority has been getting Western United to base its operations here in Wyndham, and by using the training facility as a match-day venue for both A-League Men and Women’s matches until the stadium is built, we’re doing just that.”
“This facility represents a big milestone for our entire community, especially our football-loving residents.”
“It will increase access and participation in football across the West, provide talent pathways for aspiring athletes and give them the opportunity to play football at the highest level right here in Wyndham.”
“The club is now working with the A-League to schedule its first matches at the Regional Football Facility in March and April, and I for one can’t wait to be sitting here in the stands decked out in the green and black to cheer them on.”
Western United and WMG Chairman Jason Sourasis said the club would be working feverishly to be ready to host games as soon as possible.
The A-League Women home fixture against Newcastle Jets on March 17 is earmarked for the opening match, followed closely by WUFC Academy home matches and, finally, the A-League Men home debut.
“This is a momentous milestone for everyone involved in the project. It allows us to move into our permanent home, playing out of only the second rectangular stadium in the state of Victoria that is approved to play A-League Men and A-League Women games,” Mr Sourasis said.
“The next phase of growth for Western United Football Club will be underpinned by a community and fan-first philosophy as we entrench our football club into the Wyndham community.”
“I thank everyone that has been on this journey for their unwavering belief, effort, support and patience.”
Western United Liberty A-League Women Head Coach Kat Smith added: “It’s such a privilege for myself, the players and all the fans who’ve joined our journey of building a football club to share this significant milestone of moving into our new headquarters and playing a home match for the very first time.”
“I’m extremely impressed with the facility, the equality in its design shows the respect the Club and our partners have for our A-League women and how invested they are in building an amazing future for female football.”
“The girls will be absolutely buzzing to be playing in this historic opening match at Tarneit, we can’t wait.”
Socceroos legend and Western United Isuzu UTE A-League Men’s Head Coach John Aloisi echoed Smith, highlighting this as a landmark day for the community and for football in Australia.
“Our boys are so eager and excited to get to Tarneit, create our home and start sharing football experiences with the local community. The preamble is over, we’re coming home now,” Mr Aloisi said.
“This facility and the broader stadium project, it gives kids in the west who love our sport a real opportunity to develop and to dream of becoming a professional footballer and representing our nation as a Matilda or a Socceroo.”
“It truly is a great day for football.”
Meanwhile, Council is close to formalising the official names for the Regional Football Facility Reserve and Pavilion.
Voting on the two shortlisted names – Davis and Ironbark – will close this Sunday with the chosen name to be endorsed shortly after.