Works will finally begin on the long awaited WA State Football Centre later this month after it was revealed that local WA building firm, Broad Construction had been awarded the major works contract for the facility.
The state and federally funded facility to be built at the Queens Park Open Space has been described as a world-class facility that will cater to all levels of football – from grassroots to high-performance development.
“The State Football Centre will give the sport a dedicated home in Western Australia, providing a place for young talent to develop their potential,” said Premier Mark McGowan in a press release.
“We look forward to delivering the State Football Centre in advance of the 2023 Women’s World Cup, where some of the world’s best will descend on Perth for the global tournament,” the Premier said.
Included will be two floodlit pitches and much needed infrastructure such as a gym, adequate men’s and women’s change facilities and an administration block for Football West which will come as a welcome inclusion for the state’s governing body, who have been without a designated home despite having to cater for one of the fastest growing team participation sports in Western Australia.
The facility is due to be complete by mid-2023 which makes the timing of the construction crucial, with the facility set to host up to nine international teams based in Perth during the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup which kicks off officially in Auckland, New Zealand on July 20 2023.
Said to be the Centre-of-Excellence for Australia and the Indian Ocean rim, it will have the capacity to not only cater to the next generation of local, aspiring football stars but also to assist in attracting visiting teams from Asia and abroad and assist in building football relationships with our northern neighbours.
Departing Football West CEO, James Curtis expressed his excitement on the evolution of the project.
“There has been great anticipation from the WA football community for the start of construction of the State Football Centre, and that excitement will increase as we watch it being built in the coming year,” he said.
“Football West has worked closely with all levels of Government on securing a home for football in Western Australia and we are now little more than a year away from its completion prior to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.”
The State Football Centre will cater for up to 700 spectators through permanent seating with the ability to temporarily boost attendances to 2000 with the use of temporary seating. However, A-leagues’ and senior international matches will still be played at Perth Oval.
Also unknown is whether Perth Glory Football Club or any other A-League or National Premier League Western Australia (NPLWA) clubs are likely to utilise the facility for training or administrative purposes.
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