World-class sporting facility will provide practical learning opportunities for sports science, marketing, education and health students and researchers
University of Wollongong (UOW) Interim Vice-Chancellor and President Senior Professor Eileen McLaughlin welcomed the start of construction on the St. George Illawarra Dragons Community and High-Performance Centre (CHPC) at a sod-turning ceremony at the University's Innovation Campus today (21 March 2025).
The sod-turning event was attended by NSW Minister for Sport, The Hon. Steve Kamper, MP, Federal Member for Cunningham Alison Byrnes MP, Member for Keira Ryan Park, Member for Wollongong Paul Scully, Dragons Chair Andrew Lancaster, Dragons CEO Ryan Webb, and Professor McLaughlin.
The cutting-edge facility, funded by the Australian Government, NSW Government and St. George Illawarra Dragons, will create a state-of-the-art hub for sport, education, research and community wellbeing in the Illawarra.
"We look forward to working alongside the Dragons to bring this world-class facility to life, reinforcing our shared commitment to excellence in sport, education and community development," Professor McLaughlin said.
"The facility will complement UOW's existing academic programs and further strengthen our connections with sporting organisations across the region. It will provide invaluable practical learning opportunities for UOW students in sports science, psychology, marketing and management, as well as education, exercise physiology, health, and related fields.
"Students will particularly benefit from the integration of theory and practice, with opportunities for internships, placements, and research projects within the CHPC."
Professor McLaughlin also highlighted the Centre's role in advancing gender equity and Indigenous participation in sport.
"One of the most exciting aspects of the facility is its potential to transform local sports participation, particularly for women. UOW is deeply committed to promoting gender equity in sports and the Centre's equitable male and female player facilities will create an inclusive environment where women and girls can thrive in sport," she said.
"The Centre will also play a vital role in supporting Indigenous participation in sport, offering meaningful opportunities for cultural exchange, engagement and sporting excellence."
St. George Illawarra Dragons CEO Ryan Webb said the world-class facility will be a game changer for the region.
"This is a hugely significant day in the history of the St George Illawarra Dragons," Mr Webb said.
"The completion of a world-class facility such as this will help take our male and female athletes to new heights while bringing our administrative and football programs altogether under one roof will be hugely beneficial for club cohesion and unity."
The purpose-built Centre will feature advanced strength and conditioning spaces, sports science testing facilities, recovery areas, specialised training zones, and dedicated research laboratories designed to accommodate athletes across multiple disciplines. The complex will include hydrotherapy facilities, altitude training capabilities, and cutting-edge biomechanical assessment technology rarely found outside professional sporting organisations or institutes of sport.
The facility will activate an underutilised part of Innovation Campus. All costs of the development are being met by the Dragons, who will also be responsible for ongoing maintenance and other costs associated with the facility.
UOW will receive a range of financial and in-kind benefits through the partnership, including a suite of exciting opportunities to support the University's strategic education, research and community engagement goals.
