The Parramatta Eels today officially opened the $70m Parramatta Eels Centre of Excellence (COE) and Kellyville Memorial Park Community Centre, the largest rugby league training precinct in the world, marking a transformative milestone for the Club and the broader Western Sydney community.
Funded by the NSW and Australian Government, The Hills Shire Council and Parramatta Leagues Club, the precinct features five full-sized rugby league fields and is the first gender-equal elite facility in Australia with all training facilities replicated for men and women across NRL, NRLW and Elite Pathways programs.
The Community Centre, which stands beside the COE will be part of an international standard match venue with a 1,500-seat grandstand and multi-purpose function and community education rooms to enable the Club to expand its community programs and initiatives
Parramatta Eels CEO Jim Sarantinos said:
“This marks a transformative moment for the Club and our community. The Centre of Excellence will provide Eels men’s, women’s and pathways programs with world-class resources and the environment they need to thrive, while increasing participation across all forms of rugby league in one of the fastest-growing regions in Australia.
“Most importantly, it will be a home for the entire Parramatta Eels family, including past players, members, fans, partners and the wider Eels and Western Sydney community. We sincerely thank the NSW State and Australian Government, the Hills Shire Council and Parramatta Leagues Club for their investment and continued support.”
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Federal Member for Parramatta Andrew Charlton said:
“Nothing brings people together like sport, and we’re proud to have backed the delivery of a space where connection, opportunity and community spirit can thrive. It’s inclusive, it’s local, it’s Eels—and it’s everything we’re proud of in Parramatta.”
NSW Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said:
"The opening of the Eels’ Centre of Excellence and Kellyville Memorial Park Community Centre is a game-changing facility for the community.
“The dreams of junior boys and girls at the Wentworthville Magpies or Rouse Hill Rhinos of wearing the Eels jersey have become more attainable with the completion of this facility.
“The Eels now boast one of the leading rugby league facilities in NSW, improving male and female pathways and player development for the community of Western Sydney.”
Mayor of the Hills Shire Dr Michelle Byrne said:
“The new Centre of Excellence and Community Centre is a landmark facility for our region—providing young footballers with a world-class facility to train, compete, and chase their dreams. The next Mitchell Moses could very well begin their journey right here,” Mayor of The Hills Shire, Dr Michelle Byrne said.
“This project is a great example of all three levels of government working together with a leading sporting organisation to deliver outstanding outcomes for our growing community and the ever-popular—and rapidly growing—rugby league.
“Council has played a key role in this development, delivering new playing fields, a 250-space car park, and a new access road from Stone Mason Drive.
“This is part of Council’s broader commitment to creating Centres of Excellence across a range of popular sports—ensuring our community has access to premier facilities, inspiring participation, and supporting grassroots sports. It is an investment in the future of sport and about providing clear pathways for our local talents to reach the pinnacle of their sporting endeavours.”
Parramatta Leagues Club Chairman Greg Monaghan said:
“Congratulations to the Eels on the incredible achievement of launching this world-class Centre of Excellence. As the cornerstone of our Parra Group—now proudly representing 100,000 members—our shared commitment to Rugby League, sport, and community has never been stronger.
“Together, we contribute over $1 million annually to support local initiatives, and the Centre of Excellence is a significant extension of that commitment. We are extremely proud of the positive and lasting impact this facility will have on our community.
“We also extend our sincere thanks to the Federal and State Governments and The Hills Shire Council for their vision and foresight in backing a project that will benefit generations to come.”
Parramatta Eels major sponsor James Hardie will invest in the Centre of Excellence and Community Centre with initiatives aimed at connecting the broader Western Sydney community.
James Hardie APAC President John Arneil said:
‘As a company with deep roots in the local area, we believe in building a better future for all, not just through our products, but by investing in the communities where we live, work, and play."
Image gallery: https://www.parraeels.com.au/news/2025/05/22/gallery--parramatta-eels-centre-of-excellence/
Replies
Looks very smick!!!
Beautiful facility and it could very well be the be the best in the game , but do we have the people running the club who can take advantage of having such a great facility?
The 2nd largest CBD in NSW which should have the club at the top of the TPA pile , but the people running things have failed miserably .
The 2nd largest junior nursery in NSW which should have seen the club have a production line of talent like it since did , but again the people who run the club have failed miserably.
Now we have the best training facilities in the game so let's see what the people who run the club do to take advantage of it .
Fongy an old saying I have is in the land of the blind he with one eye is King, until someone with two eyes comes along.
Parra's people running the club, may fit your description but within that process some people with two eyes may eventually come along.....where the"care" is required is will the blind recognise them....not easy when you cannot see where you have been or where you are headed.
I'm looking forward to, as no doubt you are as well to seeing Parra on the correct path.
Love the Jack Gibson quote. " If you are standing still you are going backwards"" lots of things to think about just there.
80s Centre of excellence
Lots in that too Chief " 80,s Centre of excellence. It's all about how smart is the bloke running the joint
A friend of mine bought a brand new car, He is still struggling to find out how to drive the bloody thing
Absolutely Tad
I'm surprised you know someone that bought a brand new car Taddy, have you explained how many families.he could have fed by buying one that operates with a combustion engine.
I don't know you new age socialists have no thoughts for us victimised capitalists LOL.
At least the ones driving a hybrid will keep the families live longer Pops. I don't think you want to go down that path mate.. The world is changing. ( There are about 1000 billionaire s running the show how many more would you like?) cheers
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