FOOTBALL
Hawkesbury’s best young footballers have been given the facilities to help them become the next wave of Socceroos as the $22 million Valentine Sports Park was officially opened at Glenwood on Saturday.
The redevelopment of the multi-purpose facility and headquarters of Football NSW was unveiled in conjunction with a Skill Acquisition Program Gala Day.
The renovation, which took 18 months to complete, includes two new synthetic surfaces, a stadium-quality grass pitch, spectator seating, amenities for players, officials and spectators, an administration block and learning centre, an accommodation block, a Futsal court and a gym.
Football NSW CEO Eddie Moore acknowledged the founder of the facility, the late Charles Valentine, and his forward thinking to make the complex a reality.
‘‘This multi-million dollar home of football was all made possible thanks to the vision and generosity of Charles Valentine,’’ he said.
‘‘It was really down to his hard work and determination that we find ourselves here today and able to celebrate the opening of this magnificent venue.’’
Moore also thanked the Federal and State government’s for their financial contribution to the project.
FFA CEO David Gallop said the facility would help nurture young footballers in the area.
‘‘Valentine Sports Park is going to be a birthplace for champions, ’’he said.
‘‘There’s an old cliché that says build it and they will come but in our beautiful game the opposite actually applies.
‘‘We already had the numbers, we needed the facilities and the game deserved something like this.’’
Moore estimated that more than 200,000 people would use the venue each year and that it would become a hub for the football community.
