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.”
.
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
Wow looks incredible great facility for the club and fans as well that gym is unreal must be an attraction for players to come to the eels with that setup surely
And keep players. When they tour opposition team's facilities having played here they will see it as a downgrade for their career.
Looks amazing. Do we know if it will be open to the public, or will they run tours for fans?
Pretty sure the Eels shop and coffee shop there are open to the public.
Well done to the club, amazing facilities!
I think that should be a thing for season ticket holders or certain member groups. Get a tour of new facilities.
Yeah, agree. Tours for members would be a great initiative
A good chunk of it is open to the public. There's a small memorabilia section, cafe, shop and reception area that are all publicly accessible. Then next door is the actuall community facility. That's the facility that will be available for public hire and will be accessible. I believe 2 of the fields will also be open to the public to use for community sport.
In terms of tours for fans it's going to be a discussion point at the Supporters Group Alliance meeting in June. Obviously some details to work through there, but I know many in the SGA want to see the club have a way for fans to get an inside look at the facility.
Thanks Super, hopefully the tours come to fruition. Would be great to be able to see behind the scenes as well.
Incredible work by the club. This is truly a world class facility. Congratulations to all involved.
This rivals some of the American college football and to an extent some NFL facilities I've seen online.
-
1
-
2
-
3
of 3 Next