A-League football clubs these days comprise multiple teams and require multiple facilities. A club’s physical infrastructure influences everything from club culture to team performance and after 20 years of A-League football many of the clubs have been forward thinking in their infrastructure arrangements.
Where does your club rank in terms of its facilities, and where can it improve?
Let’s take a look at Western Sydney Wanderers.
Current Set Up
All of Western Sydney’s football operations are currently held at the Wanderers Football Park, with the exception of ALM and some ALW home matches. ALM matches are all held out of Western Sydney Stadium, while ALW standalone home matches have been held at Marconi Stadium as well as at Wanderers Football Park.
Wanderers Football Park comprises nine pitches, including two with grandstands (largest capacity of 1,000), as well as administrative facilities for community programs.
History of Set Up
The Wanderer’s Football Park is located in the larger Blacktown International Sports Park (BISP). BISP was initially constructed for the Sydney Olympics and over time has hosted many sports and teams, including the GWS Giants. The facility also hosts the Blacktown Spartans in the NPL.
From their inception, the Wanderers have used the BISP as a training facility, specifically the Athletics Centre for training and administration, but as the club quickly grew and in 2014 began planning a more suitable Centre of Excellence.
Blacktown City Council owns the facility and leases the grounds to Wanderers. The council also provided funding for the initial $18m development. By 2019 the facility was up and running with all Wanderers operations moving in.
In terms of home matches the Wanderers have moved around a little. The initial success of the club at Paramatta Stadium sparked a redevelopment project which left the club moving between venues including Spotless Stadium, which impacted the club’s atmosphere and fan engagement. A return to Western Sydney Stadium has served the club well and looks to be a secure home for the club’s long term future.
The Women’s and Youth teams have also moved around a little, playing across various Western Sydney venues but Wanderer’s Football Park has proven that the club can host games with smaller crowds, although the women’s team often needs to relocate to larger venues.
Assessment of Set Up
Wanderers Football Park provides the Wanderers with nearly everything the club needs, and brings the club under one roof in its geographical heartland. Wanderers control of the facility ensures pitch quality and availability and its size allows for growth in its football programs.
The match day situation between Wanderers Football Park and Western Sydney Stadium is also appropriate however the women’s team does not have a place it can really call home. Its crowds are too large for Wanderer’s Park and it requires a better long term solution.
Notes and considerations
Once again the importance of Council relationships has been the difference for the Wanderers who have been able to secure massive amounts of land in Sydney – a feat almost unheard of! Blacktown City Council support and funding though is key.
The locations of its facilities are also quite fortunate, with the training base and match day venues all located in Western Sydney. Although car dependence is required for all but Western Sydney Stadium, the locations of the club’s facilities are ideal.
Gaps and Opportunities
Although there have been previous plans for a 40,000 seat stadium in Blacktown, the current Western Sydney Stadium suits the Wanderers well. What it should look to in the long term however is an upgrade of the main pitch at Wanderers Football Park. Increasing the current capacity from 1,000 to 4,000 will provide a permanent home for its ALW team and allow the ALM team to host smaller games (Australia Cup and practice matches) out of the facility. An upgraded capacity though will also require an expansion of the onsite parking.
The club should also look to incorporate a social venue on site. Between ALW, NPL and Youth programs, Wanderers Football Park can become a true hub of activity for fans and volunteers of the club.
Ratings
Overall Ranking: 2nd out of 12
Overall Rating: A
Western Sydney Wanderers are near the top of TBG rankings with a set up that perfectly supports the club’s current operations and allows for future growth and development. A permanent home for the ALW team may require minor expansion of existing facilities but the club’s arrangements are otherwise near perfect.
The Beautiful Game 