Hawthorn Football Club is delighted to take the next step in formalising its partnership with the Kingston City Council through the adoption of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will see the Council commit $5 million towards the AFLW and community oval and pavilion at the Kennedy Community Centre.
Kingston City Council recently endorsed the MOU with the club which will act as a guiding document for community access and usage arrangements for the facility.
The commitment is subject to the finalisation of a binding legal agreement around the community use of the facility.
The club has now attracted support from all levels of government, with the Federal Government committing $15 million and the Victorian Government committing funding in its recent budget, subject to AFLW expansion plans. This funding sits alongside Hawthorn’s own investment towards the Kennedy Community Centre of more than $30 million.
The development of the AFLW community oval and pavilion alongside Hawthorn’s training and administration facility marks the initial construction stage of the Kennedy Community Centre project, and will provide the local and wider community with essential sporting infrastructure and amenities that promote equality and inclusion.
Hawthorn Chief Executive Officer Justin Reeves expressed his gratitude to the Council for its significant contribution to the development of the Kennedy Community Centre.
“The Council commitment to proceed to a formal agreement is another pivotal step in our journey to building a once in a generation sporting and community facility which the wider south-eastern community and region can be a part of,” Reeves said.
“On behalf of the entire club, I would like to acknowledge and thank the Kingston City Council for their willingness to partner with the club, and their support of our vision; a collaborative partnership which has spanned more than five years.
“The community oval and pavilion at the Kennedy Community Centre will provide local sporting groups with an elite sporting facility, generating greater pathways for women’s football and also increasing active and passive participation in sport across the region.”
In addition to accommodating the local community, the community oval and pavilion will also become the home ground of Hawthorn’s future AFLW team, with the club having recently submitted its proposal for entry into the AFLW competition in season seven which commences at the end of 2022.
Hawthorn VFLW Coach Bec Goddard OAM endorsed the Council’s commitment, highlighting its impact on accelerating the construction of the purpose-built AFLW and community facilities of the Kennedy Community Centre.
“It’s phenomenal to have Kingston so invested in this project and ultimately, become an integral part of Hawthorn’s AFLW journey,” Goddard expressed.
“Our partnership with Kingston ensures we can hit the ground running and commence the development of our not-too-distant AFLW home ground which will not only house league matches, but will also provide emerging and aspiring footballers with the facilities to engage, train and hone their passion for the game.
“Having these world-class resources in the local community will open the door for women of all ages, growing participation in women’s football right across the south-eastern corridor of Melbourne.”
Kingston Mayor Steve Staikos said the Council was proud to partner with Hawthorn Football Club as the project would help meet the growing demand for sporting facilities in Melbourne’s south-east.
“Sport is booming in our region with growing participation particularly in footy played by women and girls,” Cr Staikos said.
“The new community oval will help transform a former landfill site into much-needed community facilities to serve generations to come.”
The approved project plans and in principle financial commitment by the Council are further steps forward for the Kennedy Community Centre. Environmental site remediation works have commenced at the Dingley site with construction set to commence in 2022.
