A Victorian Rugby Centre of Excellence will be built at La Trobe University Sports Park.
The state government has invested $31 million in the centre, which will be the home of Rugby Victoria and the Melbourne Rebels Super W team.
Rugby Victoria will base its administration, sport development programs and high-performance training at the site, while emerging players and state representatives teams will be able to use a training centre match day field at the centre.
Rebels players will have two dedicated rugby fields – one with a grandstand, and a shared field incorporating a rugby field and AFL oval.
The Centre of Excellence will also benefit community sport, with local clubs having access the state-of-the-art facilities for development programs, while training for volunteers, administrators, referees and coaches will be conducted at the centre, according to the government.
The development is a boost for La Trobe University’s sports education credentials as well, with the new centre to be available for students’ learning and research activities.
The La Trobe University Sports Park is also home to the national women’s soccer team, the Matildas.
Tourism, Sport and Major Events Minsiter Steve Dimopoulos said the investment would help create a world-class sporting venue.
“This project is a massive boost for rugby in Victoria, providing a new base for Melbourne Rebels Super W while backing local clubs from the grassroots up,” he said.
Rugby Victoria president Neil Hay said the facility would be a “game changer” for rugby in Victoria.
“We are thrilled with the progress of the project. The early works are well under way, and we look forward to commencing the main works in the new year,” he said.
Bundoora MP Colin Brooks described the centre as “another feather in the cap for La Trobe University’s sports education and research programs”.
