The New South Wales (NSW) state government in Australia has announced the approval of a new Centre of Excellence at the Belmore Sports Ground, which will serve as a facility for domestic National Rugby League (NRL) and National Women’s Rugby Leauge (NRLW) teams.
The redevelopment project is valued at A$43m ($32.5m).
The new three-storey building will be situated atop Terry Lamb Hill, featuring changing rooms, strength and conditioning facilities, medical facilities, and spaces for education and meetings.
The Bulldogs team, new to the NRLW this season, are expected to receive an early benefit from the improved training facilities.
In addition to the sports amenities, the Centre of Excellence will include new administration and meeting spaces for the club’s staff, as well as merchandise, reception, and media facilities.
A public entry forecourt and balcony will provide views over the main sports ground, complemented by a new LED scoreboard.
The project also encompasses outdoor enhancements such as landscaped terraces, tree planting, and provisions for car and bicycle parking.
Assessed by NSW’s Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, the development is a step under the state’s significant development pathway.
Construction is set to commence in October 2025, with completion anticipated by the end of 2026.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said: “The Bulldogs have a proud history and this new Centre of Excellence will give this world-class footy [football] team world-class facilities to train in.
“For too long female athletes have had to settle for second best so it’s particularly pleasing to see the Bulldogs women’s team share the benefit of these state-of-the-art facilities.
“The Centre of Excellence won’t be just for high-performance footy players. The Bulldogs have always been about community, and I know local community groups and teams are also going to love the new facilities at Belmore.”
This announcement follows the recent awarding of the A$100m contract for the Pitt Town bypass to Abergeldie Complex Infrastructure, a NSW-owned infrastructure contractor.
