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The South Sydney Rabbitohs have welcomed NSW Government’s commitment of $8.696 million towards its Community and High Performance Centre to be built in South Sydney heartland at Heffron Park in Maroubra.

The NSW Government have announced the Rabbitohs would receive the funding towards the $25,696 million project at Heffron Park which will supplement previous funding or support from Randwick City Council ($3 million), the Federal Government ($10 million) and the club ($4 million).

The Centre, which has been described as “a game changer for the Rabbitohs”, will provide the Rabbitohs, Souths Cares and the local community with a state-of-the art facility.

The 5,500 metre² facility will house Souths Cares’ offices, the Rabbitohs football department and training base, administration offices, a merchandise outlet and a café.

The community support from the Rabbitohs and Souths Cares will have the opportunity to increase, with Souths Cares setting a target of 15,000 participants going through their programs from 2020.

The Rabbitohs’ operations will be consolidated to one site, improving operational efficiency and collaboration between the playing group, football department, administration and Souths Cares.

It will also help achieve long term stability for the rugby league club by creating new and increased revenue streams while also reducing costs.

Commenting on the funding, Rabbitohs Chief Executive Blake Solly stated “this will revolutionise the way our Club operates and will give us the impetus to move to the next level, both on and off the field.

“We’ve had our plans ready for this project for a long time now and the NSW Government funding was the last piece of the puzzle for us to get underway.

“We’re very thankful for their support as well as the support of Randwick City Council, the Federal Government, Souths Juniors and the NRL.”

Solly says this development will be fantastic for the community and Souths Cares’ operations and programs, adding “the Rabbitohs and Souths Cares make a significant contribution to the local community and this NSW Government funding for the Community and High Performance Centre will allow us to do even more.

“Our community programs through Souths Cares have already delivered over 300 Aboriginal employment placements.

“Participants in our School to Work program have achieved their HSC at a 93% success rate; substantially higher than the 65% rate for Aboriginal high school students in Australia.

“Over 80% of participants in the program have successfully transitioned into employment, training and/or tertiary education within six months after completing school.

“The Rabbitohs KARI Wellbeing Program has visited 45 disadvantaged schools in 2017, engaging over 7,500 students with health and wellbeing messages including anti-bullying, cyber safety, physical activity and nutrition.

“Since being established in 2012, our Colgate Oral Health Program has been delivered to over 12,000 primary school students; and in 2017 alone over 200 disadvantaged and/or seriously ill individuals were guests in a Souths Cares ‘Money Can’t Buy’ game day experience.

The Rabbitohs plan for their Community and High Performance Centre to be operational by 2020.

Images: Artist's impressions of the Rabbitohs' planned Community and High Performance Centre.

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