Artist Impression of new Sports and Health Centre of Excellence
Western Sydney University welcomes the NSW Government's announcement of $16.7 million from the WestInvest program to establish a Sports and Health Centre of Excellence at Campbelltown Stadium.
Led by Campbelltown City Council, the University is pleased to be a key partner on the $33 million project which will deliver a wide range of sports science, health and wellbeing, community development and outreach programs, as well as development pathways for elite athletes in the region.
Western Sydney University will seek to establish a Health and Medical Centre within the Centre of Excellence to accommodate a broad range of services, including general practice, allied health, medical imaging and sports administration. The vision of the University is to promote sporting participation, education, health and wellbeing in a community hub model.
Critically, the Health and Medical Centre will provide hands-on clinical placements and training opportunities for students across the University in fields such as medicine, nursing and midwifery, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, podiatry, traditional Chinese medicine, and sports science.
It will also deliver a major boost for elite sports partner athletes and local sporting communities by enhancing new talent and development pathways, athlete welfare and community health.
Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Barney Glover AO, said the University is a leading advocate for the Greater Western Sydney region, and is proud to be involved in a project which serves to improve the health of its local communities.
"The Campbelltown Sports and Health Centre of Excellence will be a world-class facility that will deliver much-needed, additional comprehensive health services for the communities of south-west Sydney – a fast-growing region that experiences many, often complex, health challenges," said Professor Glover.
"Importantly, this Centre will offer an innovative model of care that will improve access and deliver real health benefits for local residents as well as strengthen the University's own training of future medical and health professionals who can stay and work in the region, helping to relieve some of the pressures facing the healthcare system."
To be co-located with community partners such as the Wests Tigers, Macarthur FC and the South West Sydney Academy of Sport, the Sports and Health Centre of Excellence will help nurture local sports professionals and future athletes, serving as a centre for elite sporting excellence nationally and internationally.
Professor Glover said the University's world-leading health and sport science research expertise will be embedded within the Centre, strengthening collaboration between the University, industry and the community and delivering real-world impact.
"Western Sydney University looks forward to working with the NSW Government and Campbelltown City Council to move through the next phases of planning to realise our vision for this project – an outstanding opportunity for job creation, industry collaboration and deep and lasting engagement with the communities of south-west Sydney," he said.
