Dingley Village in Melbourne's south-east is home to new, world-class sporting facilities with the opening of the Kennedy Community Centre.
Opened today, the first stage of the sporting complex includes elite facilities for south-east Melbourne's AFLW athletes and aspiring girls and boys participating in pathway football programs.
The complex also includes the Harris High Performance Centre, which has a fully flood-lit oval, an indoor training field, aquatic facilities and unisex change rooms.
The new three-level pavilion features covered seating, doctors' rooms, player rooms, coaching boxes, radio and TV broadcast boxes, areas for umpires and timekeepers, change rooms and community areas - ensuring it's immediately fit for spectator sports at the highest levels.
The complex also features a function centre including a servery area, kitchen, storage facilities, public amenities, first aid area and capacity for 140 guests.
Stage 1 of the Kennedy Community Centre has been funded through all three levels of government, with the Australian Government contributing $15 million to construction.
The $113 million complex was also funded through the Victorian Government, Kingston City Council, the AFL and Hawthorn Football Club.
Construction of the Kennedy Community Centre supported 500 jobs and will create 10 ongoing roles across the Football Club and wider Dingley Village community to service the demand generated by these new world-class facilities.
Quotes attributable to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:
"To all of you who have worked so hard to deliver this project, you have done something extraordinary.
"Our Government is proud to have supported the work of the Hawthorn Football Club, the Victorian Government and the Kingston City Council.
"I am so pleased this is a place that belongs to the community because that is what sport in Australia is all about - bringing people together and building that sense of community."
Quotes attributable to Premier of Victoria Jacinta Allan:
"Victoria is the home of the AFL, and this is a landmark moment for Hawthorn Football Club and for women's sport in Victoria. These elite facilities will give the Hawks a home to train, play, and inspire the next generation of players for many years to come."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King:
"The Hawk's new nest in Dingley Village won't just be the administrative base for the AFLW and AFLM teams, but a key match day ground for the women's Hawks, shared green space and facilities for the local community.
"Our co-investment ensures the budding superstars of tomorrow can lace up their first set of footy boots at quality facilities, close to home and kick goals for years to come."
Quotes attributable to Minister Housing, Homelessness and Cities Clare O'Neil:
"As a proud Melburnian and Hawks fan this is a tremendous project that will help develop a new generation of AFL and AFLW stars."
Quote attributable to Member for Isaacs Mark Dreyfus:
"The kids, families and the wider community in my electorate of Isaacs love their AFL footy. Having these new facilities in their own backyard will make a real difference for so many locals."
