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Geoff Ninnes Fong & Partners (GNFP) is a structural, aquatic and civil engineering consultancy with broad experience in the design of new municipal and institutional swimming pools, hydrotherapy…
read moreRandwick City Council and the NRL’s South Sydney Rabbitohs have opened the new Heffron Centre in the Sydney suburb of Maroubra.
Located at Heffron Park, the $26 million Centre of Excellence for the Rabbitohs combines with a community sporting hub operated by Belgravia Leisure.
Opening the doors to the public for the very first time last weekend, the Heffron Centre staged a series of free activities, sporting competitions, gymnastic showcases, giveaways and access to both the BK’s Gymnastics facilities and the sports spaces the new centre has to offer.
Commenting on the opening, that saw guests participate in tours, a range of classes and a dance party, Randwick Mayor, Dylan Parker stated “it was such a joy to see the complex come to life. To have the doors thrown open to the community and see the buzz and hype of the weekend - it’s the culmination of a lot of hard work come to fruition.”
As a part of the multipurpose facility, the two indoor sports halls will accommodate sports such as netball, table tennis, football, basketball, badminton, pickleball, volleyball and futsal.
The landmark sporting complex, which offers multipurpose community sporting, dance and gymnastics programs and facilities to the Randwick City community and surrounding areas, is also the new home for the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
Rabbitohs Centre of Excellence
Having been based in the suburb of Redfern for 70 years, the Centre of Excellence delivers an array of contemporary facilities for the NRL club - while also embracing its heritage.
Murals and photos adorn multiple rooms and corridors displaying the clubs’ greats including Clive Churchill, John Sattler, John Sutton, Jack Rayner, Arthur Hennessey, George Piggins, Ron Coote, Mario Fenech, Harold Horder, Eric Simms, Greg Inglis, Sam Burgess and Cam Murray.
There are photos of Souths’ first side in 1908, the fight-back reinstatement march and the day Souths played St George before a then record crowd of 78,056 in the 1965 grand final.
There is a detailed history wall along with another wall naming every player from every premiership-winning side. Meetings rooms are named in honour of club legends with club directors to meet in the Clive Churchill boardroom.
The Centre of Excellence features an 80-seat lecture theatre, three indoors pools, two saunas, film and audio studio, player lounge, recreational areas, yoga and stretching area, running track, climate room, hydration station, physio room, doctor’s room, laundry, rotating hot and cold pools and an infra-red sauna.
In the lobby is South Sydney’s reception area which includes a cafe where meals will be prepared for players. There will also be a retail shop and interactive area.
South Sydney Chief Executive, Blake Solly noted “it’s been a project 10 years in the making so to now be moved in and watching the players, coaches and staff see it for the first time, when they’ve heard so much about it, is overwhelming.”
Heffron Centre
Nick Cox, Chief Executive of facility manager Belgravia Leisure, is thrilled to see the Heffron Centre come to life, commenting “this landmark building will be a sporting and wellness hub for Randwick City and surrounding areas, and we are honoured to be at the helm of creating positive social impacts via the delivery of quality programs and services. Belgravia Leisure takes this responsibility very seriously, and we will work tirelessly to ensure the Heffron Centre is a safe, welcoming and inclusive place for everyone.”
BK’s Gymnastics and The Dance Society at the new Heffron Centre are also proudly part of Belgravia Group, which aims to get one million kids across Australia active each year, said Belgravia Group Executive Director Alex Lord.
Lord advised “the opening of this new site puts us another step closer to reaching our goal.
“We want to make a difference to the health and wellbeing of Australian kids and help them develop a love of movement that will last a lifetime. With engaging and supportive environments like The Dance Society and BK’s Gymnastics Heffron Centre, we can positively influence a significant number of children.”
The new BK’s Gymnastics space is designed to engage children with gymnastics activities as soon as they can walk, and take them on a journey through the sport, whether it’s just for fun or with a competitive purpose.
Excited to invite the local community into the new state-of-the-art children’s gymnastics facility, BK’s Gymnastics Chief Executive, Mark Rendell added “this club will feature the latest equipment, expert coaches and a fun learning pathway through the sport.
“The community is just as excited as we are - we’ve had over 350 expressions of interest from local families before the doors opened. We can’t wait for the next generation of gymnasts to thrive in this facility.”
Images (from top): Elite gymastics display at the new Heffron Centre, the new facility from the air, junior netball being played at the Centre and community sport activities during the opening of the much-awaited sporting hub.
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25th April 2023 - BK’s Gymnastics introduces Superstars all abilities program
14th April 2023 - Belgravia Leisure Learn to Swim Program engages Liverpool’s Indigenous Youth
11th April 2023 - Members report benefits as Recreational Gymnastics Australia grows
27th March 2023 - NRL reveals record match attendance figures through early season rounds
22nd February 2023 - NRL announces record $62.9 million operating surplus for 2022 season
21st February 2023 - Swan Hill Rural City Council extends Belgravia Leisure partnership
31st January 2023 - BK’s Gymnastics launches new programs to broaden appeal of the sport
25th January 2023 - Sydney Roosters open Centre of Excellence at Allianz Stadium
28th November 2022 - National BK’s Gymnastics network secures first regional location
18th November 2022 - Wests Tigers centre of excellence officially opens
16th November 2022 - Belgravia Leisure partnership with Belgravia Foundation and ARV recognised at 2022 Victorian Disability Sport and Recreation Awards
11th November 2022 - Surburban venues to benefit in 2023 NRL season
20th July 2022 - BK’s Gymnastics launches new class programs offering clear progression pathways
28th March 2022 - Official opening for new Northern Grandstand and Centre of Excellence at Sydney’s Brookvale Oval
8th November 2021 - EngageRM announces technology partnership with South Sydney Rabbitohs
15th June 2021 - NSW Government announces $150 million Centre of Excellence Fund for community sport
30th August 2021 - Belgravia Leisure awarded contract to manage Randwick Council’s soon-to-be-constructed Heffron Centre
17th June 2021 - Randwick Council provides update on new Heffron Centre community sporting complex
10th May 2021 - Belgravia Group launches franchise model for BK’s Gymnastics brand
28th January 2021 - A-League’s Macarthur FC and NRL’s Rabbitohs reveal ticketing partnership
19th October 2020 - Work commences on Centre of Excellence for NRL’s Sea Eagles
9th September 2020 - Heffron Park Tennis Centre marks one-year anniversary
26th August 2020 - Grassroots to coexist with South Sydney Rabbitohs at new Heffron multi-purpose sport facility
4th October 2019 - Sydney Sports Management Group moves forward with management of new Heffron Park Tennis Centre
22nd December 2017 - South Sydney Rabbitohs welcomes backing for Community and High Performance Centre
8th August 2013 - Federal Government commits $16 million to new high performance base for South Sydney Rabbitohs
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