Western Sydney Wanderers Stadium Set for Upgrade

A-League’s newest side Western Sydney Wanderers have revealed their Parramatta Stadium is set to see a capacity increase to around 25,000 by 2015 as part of a $29 million upgrade.

The venue, home to the Wanderers and NRL club Parramatta Eels, currently holds 19,000 but new Federal Sport Minister Don Farrell has announced the government will commit $20 million towards the project.

In addition to increasing the capacity, the redevelopment will include improving the changing rooms and hospitality facilities and the lengthening of the adjacent 70-metre training area to a full-sized field.

Football Federation Australia chief executive, David Gallop, said: “This is a significant moment in the phenomenal journey of the Wanderers. Only one season in the competition and they have sold out this stadium three times.

“The fans got behind the club and became part of the most sensational atmosphere that you’ll see in Australian sport and they are being rewarded with a stadium upgrade.”

Parramatta also hailed the works, with CEO Ken Edwards saying the Eels previously had to prepare in the worst training facilities in the NRL.

Edwards said the upgrade would allow Parramatta to compete on a level playing field with other clubs and coach Ricky Stuart also acknowledged their significance.

“It’s a big part of elite sport today to have modern facilities – it’s a very very big part of preparation,” Stuart said.

“It’s something the players have lacked here for a number of years.

“I’m glad we’ve got an opportunity to move forward with modernised facilities.

“You don’t need the best facilities in the world – we’re not that precious.

“It’s just a matter of being realistic about the environment and the training facilities around the players.

“We put a lot of pressure on the players to be at their best. It’s our job to give them the best training environment and resources.”