Multi-million dollar facility for elite talent

SANFL is proud to today officially unveil its $25.3 million High Performance Centre at West Lakes which sets a new national benchmark for talent development in Australian football.

The state-of-the-art training facility for South Australia’s elite male and female underage talent is the first of its type in Australia and an embodiment of SANFL’s proud and long-standing legacy of developing Australian football talent.

SANFL CEO Darren Chandler said they were extremely proud to be opening the SANFL High Performance Centre which represents a powerful statement of SANFL’s commitment to providing the best pathways and programs for football talent in SA.

“More than 300 players each year will benefit from not just industry-leading facilities but the very latest in sports science and tailored programs to nurture their physical, mental and personal development and provide them with the best opportunity to play at the highest level,” he said.

“In addition, hundreds of other emerging junior players from SANFL Clubs will have the opportunity to utilise the centre on an annual basis.

“SANFL is extremely grateful for the support from government, the AFL and project partners in helping us realise this exciting milestone and delivering an asset for football and the broader health and wellbeing of the community.”

Jointly funded by SANFL, Federal and State governments and the AFL, the new centre at Footy Park Precinct includes:

• Unisex player changerooms, strength and conditioning areas and indoor turf training area

• Sport science office, coaching and education rooms and new offices for SANFL’s Talent department.

• Rehabilitation suites with hot/cold baths, and athletes’ lounge with kitchenette

• Coaches, multi-media and observation areas overlooking the oval

• Allied health suites available for public appointments

• The Oval View Room – a multi-purpose function centre for up to 150 guests overlooking Football Park, run by The Mosaic Hotel

Senator for South Australia Senator Karen Grogan welcomed the investment.

“This centre means that young people from right across state can pursue their dreams to become elite footballers right here in South Australia,” Senator Grogan said.

Member for Hindmarsh Mark Butler said for nearly 150 years the SANFL has given the state of South Australia a reason to cheer and get behind their local footy talent.

“We’re proud to honour that long history and be part of the next chapter, where we’ll no doubt see the next generation of South Australian footballers develop at the SANFL High Performance Centre,” he said.

The facility aims to enhance pathways for talented players to progress to SANFL and AFL levels and will also serve as the base for First Nations and multicultural talent programs.

The project is the League’s largest ever single infrastructure investment in player development, with $13 million coming from State and Federal funding and $250,000 from the AFL.

SANFL last year secured a non-exclusive license from the City of Charles Sturt for use of the adjoining Football Park oval, to be used for State under-age talent training and trial matches, with community access available at all other times.

South Australian Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing Rhiannon Pearce said this new SANFL High Performance Centre marks a new era for footy at West Lakes and will help build on our state’s reputation for producing some of the country’s best footballing talent.

“The South Australian Government is pleased to support the development of the centre which will in turn support countless boys and girls to achieve their dream of playing football at an elite level,” Minister Pearce said.

The SANFL High Performance Centre is a centrepiece of the broader Footy Park Precinct – a multi-use destination for the community incorporating the Mosaic Hotel, X-Golf and Hey Caddy indoor mini golf

All profits from the SANFL controlled operations are reinvested back into football in South Australia.

The 2026 SA Under-18 Academies for boys and girls will commence using the centre from December 15.