With the 2024 AFLW season kicking off and AFL finals around the corner, there is a lot happening at Hawthorn Football Club - including works on their new elite training facilities thanks to the Allan Labor Government.
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos today joined Hawks' players, Hawthorn Football Club CEO Ashley Klein and club president Andy Gowers at the Kennedy Community Centre in Dingley to tour the project.
Backed by a $15 million Labor Government investment - with additional funding provided by the Federal Government, Hawthorn Football Club, Kingston City Council and the AFL - works on the new oval and training facilities started in February and are on track for completion in 2025.
In addition to being Hawthorn's new AFLW home ground oval, there will also be a dedicated match day pavilion with a 500-seat grandstand, team change rooms, umpire change rooms, media facilities, coaches' boxes and a function space.
The new facility will also house the state-of-the-art Harris Elite Training and Administration Facility for both Hawthorn's women's and men's teams, an additional oval, a gymnasium, indoor training facility and recovery facilities.
The project will provide community spaces for clubs and groups across south-east Melbourne - allowing the Hawks to expand their important work addressing mental health and social inclusion.
The latest investment is part of the Labor Government's focus to level the playing field for women and girls in sport. More than $100 million has been invested to help upgrade Australian football facilities across the state, including providing elite facilities for all 10 Victorian AFLW clubs which will also benefit the wider community.
As stated by Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos
"It's great to see the progress of the Hawks new home base - the centre will not only be a state-of-the-art facility that will help both their teams to reach exciting new heights, but it will also be a community asset that all of south-east Melbourne will benefit from."
"We're backing the growth of AFLW by investing in world-class facilities so Victorian clubs and their local communities can foster the next generation of elite talent in the game."
As stated by Hawthorn Football Club CEO Ashley Klein
"The Kennedy Community Centre will transform our football club into the future, whilst also serving as home for the entire Hawthorn family, including the local community."
"Working closely with the Victorian Government, we are proud to be building a home that features equal high-performance facilities for our men's and women's programs, as well as providing valuable recreational spaces for the south-east community to thrive."
