8 Jun 2010

New Sydney AFL team to play at revamped stadium

6:19 pm on 8 June 2010

The Greater Western Sydney Aussie Rules team will play their home games at a revamped Sydney Showgrounds when they enter the AFL competition in 2012 after a change of heart by the NSW government.

The bulk of the funding for the upgrade of the existing facility - believed to be $55.5 million - will be provided by the state government, with the AFL contributing a further $12.3 million.

The stadium crowd capacity will be increased from 15,000 to 25,000 with the multi-purpose venue also available for other sports including cricket, rugby league, rugby union and soccer.

The provision of government funding comes only seven months after then NSW premier Nathan Rees said it would be a waste of money upgrading a stadium situated next to an existing venue (the 80,000 capacity ANZ Stadium).