Football Federation Australia (CEO) David Gallop has today welcomed the NSW Government’s decision to build a new 30,000 capacity rectangular stadium on the site of the current Parramatta Stadium.
“I commend the Premier Mike Baird and Sports Minister Stuart Ayres for giving priority to the Parramatta project in the government’s sports infrastructure program announced today,” said Gallop.
“This is a great outcome for football and the Western Sydney Wanderers. It demonstrates football’s strength and popularity in the west of Sydney.
“If not for the thousands of Wanderers fans who regularly fill the current Parramatta Stadium, there wouldn’t have been a compelling case for the funding.
“We also welcome the investments to be made in a new rectangular stadium at Moore Park and the redevelopment of ANZ Stadium. These investments will provide much-needed new facilities for football fans and will showcase football’s major events.
“I’m delighted that Sydney FC will get a brand new home for their growing fan base. It’s worth noting that the Sydney derby between Sydney FC and the Wanderers is the biggest annual event at Allianz Stadium.
“It’s important that ANZ Stadium becomes a world-class rectangular stadium with a 70,000-plus capacity to enable Sydney to compete with the likes of Melbourne’s MCG. I’ve been saying that from the outset of this debate. Sydney needs a world-class, major event venue for big Socceroos matches, A-League Grand Finals and big games with European clubs.
“All football fans will congratulate the Baird Government for the commitment to more than $1 billion in investment. Having the right mix of sports and entertainment venues will make a huge difference to Sydney’s stature as one of the world’s great cities.”
