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EELS Deal Moves Forward

A licence agreement is set to be signed by the Parramatta National Rugby League and Hills Shire Council to cover the use of Kellyville Park and outcomes for the community.

The proposed $40 million High Performance Centre for the Parramatta Eels at Kellyville Park was announced with a huge fanfare last year as a community based facility that will include a minimum four international rugby league fields, an elite standard match venue and a 5000 square metre state of the art Community Facility.

Hills Shire Council announced on December 14 that as part of the licence agreement, which will go on public exhibition for a period of 28 days, the sporting facility will also provide pathways that will support community members who are passionate about rugby league and aspire to reach a representative and/or elite level in their chosen sport.

The Parramatta club relocated from North Parramatta to Kellyville Park at the end of last year, established elite level training fields for NRL reserve grade, Jersey Flegg and academy teams and built a temporary centre housing: administration and training rooms, change rooms, ice baths doctors and physiotherapy rooms and gym space.

Hills Shire Council has already developed and constructed three rugby league playing fields, a new car park and access road from Stone Mason Drive, in Kellyville and has awarded a $1.4 million construction tender to extend the playing fields at the Kellyville sporting facility which will see two new double playing fields created.

Hills Shire Mayor, Dr Michelle Byrne said the licence agreement was a positive step forward in driving grassroots sport, in particular rugby league, in the Hills.

“PNRL are the governing body for rugby league in our Shire and they wish to work with council to provide facilities and opportunities for residents,” she said.

“By working collaboratively with the PNRL, council will be able to maximise opportunities to support our local sporting clubs, while providing high level rugby league training and playing facilities in our Shire.”

PNRL Chief Executive Officer Jim Sarantinos thanked council for its contribution to what the club believed will be “the best Rugby League facility” in Australia.

The Eels secured a $15 million funding commitment from the Federal Government to commence building the largest community rugby league facility in Australia in May last year.

At the time Federal Member for Mitchell, Alex Hawke said the investment in more playing fields and better sports facilities was vitally needed in the area.

The new facility will support various community groups such as Wheelchair Rugby League, Try Time and Physical Disability Rugby League, as well as NRL School to Work program which aims to assist Indigenous students with their education and employment outcomes. To find out more visit www.thehills.nsw.gov.au

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