Sydney Roosters Captain Isabelle Kelly has lauded today's announcement of a new, dedicated women's Centre of Excellence based in the centre of Roosters Heartland as 'incredibly significant' to the future of the women's game.
Kelly was on hand alongside CEO Joe Kelly, Coach John Strange and Tarsha Gale skipper Ally Bullman as the New South Wales Government confirmed the allocation of a $15 million grant to build the state-of-the-art facility at the Showring, located in the Entertainment Quarter precinct at Moore Park.
Being just a stone's throw away from the Club's existing NRL and NRLW bases, the news represents a full-circle moment for both the Roosters and women's rugby league in Australia, with the NRLW side securing a first-class home in the area the Club has called home for over 115 years.
The Showing was the original home of the Roosters from 1908-1930, and was also the site of the first ever women's game of rugby league in 1921.
Kelly: 'I Was Super Excited When I Saw The News'
The new facility will house both the Roosters elite women’s program and AFLW NSW/ACT, and is set to include broadcast lighting, a running track and Tier 2 Stadia venue that supports high-performance, pathways and community-based sport year-round.
"I was super excited when I heard the news," Roosters Captain, Isabelle Kelly said.
"I think it's great for women's sport in general and just knowing we're going to be able to access these facilities is really, really cool.
"It's going to bring girls to the Club and make them want to be here.”
Roosters CEO Joe Kelly, who has been working behind the scenes for some time to secure the agreement, said the occasion was a historic moment for the Club.
“The announcement today is a significant milestone in our Club's proud 115 year history.
"Showring Oval was our original home ground from 1908 and it is fitting that we are returning to this location to develop the precinct into a training and match day venue which will focus on women’s sport.
"In a unique partnership with AFL NSW/ACT and the financial support of the NSW Government, together we will restore this iconic venue into a world-class sports precinct and multi-purpose green space which will also support our pathways programs and community-based sport year-round."
It just goes to show how much we mean to this Club and how much they're willing to progress for us.
Isabelle Kelly NRLW Captain
Kelly stressed the momentous step forward would be jointly supported by both the Club, AFL and NSW Government, ensuring the collective growth of women's sport as a whole.
"The Sydney Roosters have already established a dedicated NRLW training facility at the Entertainment Quarter, however this initiate will ensure that we can create a permanent Centre of Excellence for our female rugby league programs," he said.
"In order to realise this shared vision, the Sydney Roosters and AFL NSW/ACT will collectively match the generous funding being provided by the NSW Government.”
The significance of the new facility hasn't been lost on Coach John Strange, with the current NRLW base barely a one minute walk from their soon-to-be new home.
"It's really exciting for us," Strange said.
Strange: 'It's Been In The Making For A While'
"Joe (CEO Joe Kelly) and the board have been working really hard to put this together, so it's really exciting going forward for the women.
"We're steeped in history here at the Club, and when we're playing matches and training here we can really touch on that with the girls.
"It'll add that bit extra for us, for sure."
For Strange personally, the move represents a huge step forward.
The 2021 premiership-winning mentor has been at the helm of the Club for two seasons, however has been deeply engrained in the Roosters women's program since 2016.
He has witnessed first hand and passionately driven the exponential growth of the women's game since before the inception of the NRLW five years ago.
"It's going to be massive for both me and the squad," he said.
"To be able to train literally thirty seconds from where we're going to do video and have our team meetings, it's really exciting to know the girls are going to be looked after."
For Isabelle Kelly, one of the original trailblazers of the sport having made her Roosters debut back in that historic 2018 season, the announcement represents a chance to give back to the game's next generation.
"It's so significant," she said.
"It kind of feels like we're giving back to women's rugby league and giving back to the women who paved the way for us.
"It's super inspiring for us that we get to have this as our home ground and know the history of it.
"I know that every time we step out onto this ground, the girls will be thinking of that."
Still just 26 years of age, Kelly will be entering the prime of her career when the facility opens and is fully up and running.
Already a Premiership, State of Origin and World Cup winner, the Jillaroos veteran said the effect the facility would have on the next generation would be seen for years to come.
"It just goes to show how much we mean to this Club and how much they're willing to progress for us," she said.
"Girls are going to want to sign here knowing the history and everything that's been put in place for the women's program.
"I just know that we're going to go leaps and bounds with all of it."
