The NRL’s South Sydney Rabbitohs have celebrated the official opening of their new $25.7 million Centre of Excellence.
The Heffron Centre at Heffron Park is the new home for the Rabbitohs NRL and future NRLW teams as well as pathway participants, features high performance training and administration facilities as well as multipurpose community facilities to support the expansion of the club’s Souths Cares community programs.
Opened at a function yesterday evening and with a community opening celebration scheduled for 1st July, the facility was jointly funded by the NSW Government ($8.7 million), Federal Government ($10 million), South Sydney Rabbitohs ($4 million) and Randwick Council ($3 million).
Operating alongside a community sport and recreation centre managed by Belgravia Leisure, the Centre includes:
- Large strength and conditioning gyms
- Medical facilities and recovery spaces (such as hot and cold pools and a sauna)
- A multipurpose function room and team theatrette
- A playing field
- Administration spaces
- A merchandise store and café
The NSW Government has contributed funding to eight NSW-based NRL Centres of Excellence, including the Wests Tigers, Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles and Newcastle Knights, creating thousands of construction jobs and providing an economic boost to the NSW economy.
Speaking at the opening, NSW Premier, Chris Minns stated “the South Sydney Rabbitohs have rich history, winning the most premierships in the competition’s history thanks to names like Piggins, Sattler and Churchill, and are referred to as the Pride of the League.
“While the Rabbitohs are having a great season and sit atop the NRL ladder, this new state-of-the-art high-performance Centre of Excellence will ensure the club’s reputation for producing talented players in southern Sydney continues. This facility will assist the Club’s growing premiership tally in years to come.”
“The NSW Government is committed to breaking down barriers in women’s sport and, importantly, the Rabbitohs Centre of Excellence will support female pathways and player development for the club’s future National Rugby League Women’s team.”
South Sydney Rabbitohs Chief Executive, Blake Solly added “the Centre is a game changer for both the South Sydney Rabbitohs and Souths Cares.
“For the first time in our 115-year history, our football, administration and community arms are all under the one roof in our South Sydney heartland in Maroubra.”
“The Rabbitohs now have state-of-the-art facilities to not just create better footballers but also better people; and Souths Cares will be able to greatly increase the number of people that can help with their transformational community programs.”
“On behalf of everyone connected to the Rabbitohs and Souths Cares we thank all three levels of government in assisting us to develop this wonderful new home for the Club. I believe we have lived up to our commitment to build a centre the Club, the community and the three governments can be very proud of.”
Image: The Rabbitohs new $25.7 million Centre of Excellence. Credit: Bridge42.
About the author
Nigel Benton
Co-founder/Publisher, Australasian Leisure Management
Born in the English county of Dorset, Nigel Benton is the co-founder and Publisher of Australasian Leisure Management, Australia, New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific’s only magazine for professionals in all areas of the leisure industry and the www.ausleisure.com.au website - the go to news resource for industry leaders and professionals.
With a long-term commitment to communicating all that is best about the leisure industry (aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues) his career has been defined by an ability to develop and implement industry communications.
Starting his career working in heritage visitor attractions and then adventure travel in Africa and the Middle East, an interest in writing about his experiences led to his change of career into magazine journalism and publishing.
In addition to publishing, Nigel speaks on marketing communications at a range of industry events.
He was made a Life Member of the World Leisure and Recreation Association in 2006 and is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (London).
In 2020, he launched the new Asian Leisure Business website.
As of October 2024, he was inducted into the Australian Fitness Awards Roll of Honour at the 2024 AUSactive National Awards.
Among a range of published works and features, his comments on a Blog (blogspot) from 2007 to 2011, when this website went live in its current form, may be interesting to reflect back on.
His philosophy on life is to be kind to all and to indulge those that you love.
His passions include family, Newcastle United and motorcycles (especially British ones) as well, until February 2025 when she left us, caring a little pug named Stella.
Click here to connect with him via LinkedIn.
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