The Home of the Matildas Elite Training Facility
PROJECT INFORMATION
Located within 20km of Melbourne’s CBD in the La Trobe University Sports Park, the Home of the Matildas is a world-class precinct for teaching, research, community participation and elite sport.
The 62,825m2 site accommodates up to 3,000 fans to become the pre-eminent facility in the region and is for the use of all of Victoria’s major football programs as part of the venue’s designation as the State Football Centre.
The multipurpose facility is designed for various capacities, scaling up or down for local tournaments or major events to welcome a higher crowd number (with additional facilities) for larger events such as end of season grand finals.
Five fields surround the main training and administration building with two community pavilions housing eight change rooms, each one includes flexible, gender-neutral spaces to cater up to 16 players and staff or convert into four larger change rooms for significant fixtures.
PROJECT INCLUSIONS:
As a FIFA and Asian Football Confederation (AFC) compliant elite training facility the precinct includes:
- A showpiece pitch - a premium FIFA Standard Hybrid pitch
- Two hybrid and three FIFA-standard synthetic pitches delivered in the first stage of construction, one being international sized
- 800 seat grandstand with additional terrace/balcony for standing room and/or functions - overlooking the main pitch
- This facility supports wheelchair football, rugby, and other indoor events
- A high-performance gym with cardio, weights, additional rehab/Pilates/yoga multipurpose space, sprint track, hydration station, med ball wall, warm-up / kicking zone
- Sports Science Lab with high-performance prehab/rehabilitation zone, Doctor / Physio / Psychologist consulting suites, massage spaces, strapping bench and coaching hub
- Elite-Level Recovery Wet Area with hot and cold plunge pools and an ‘endless’ river recovery pool with swimming jets
- Multiple change rooms including a purpose-designed circular Matildas locker room
- Referee locker room
- Auditorium / Theatrette and 3 configurable team meetings rooms with pitch markings in the carpet (team walk-throughs)
- Function spaces and bar overlooking the main pitch (with commercial kitchen attached)
- Public café and match day canteen
- Matildas and Football Victoria historical/interactive displays and memorabilia
- Media production centre
- Broadcast spaces and capability
- Function room (120pax sit down, 100pax cocktail)
- Player’s dining room
- Player’s lounge, study space, and two sleep rooms (sleep/meditation/prayer/quiet rooms)
- Property office and laundry
- Football Victoria offices within the main administration building. Open plan 70 workstations, 5 private offices, flexible meeting rooms, quiet spaces and breakout zones
- Public amenities throughout – including Changing Places, all abilities, gender neutral and parents facilities.
FAST FACTS:
NAME: The Home of the Matildas
PROJECT TYPE: Elite Training and Community Facility
LOCATION: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
CLIENT: The CommBank Matildas, Football Victoria, Football Australia, La Trobe University (supported and embraced by both the Victorian and Federal Government
OWNER: Football Victoria
ARCHITECT: Populous
VALUE: AU$57 million
CONSTRUCTION COMMENCED: March 2022
PROJECT COMPLETION: June 2023
SITE AREA: 62,825m2
GROSS FLOOR AREA: 5,750m2
- Elite Training Facility = 5,190m2
- Community Pavilion East = 270m2
- Community Pavilion West = 290m2
CAPACITY: 800-seat grandstand with a total 3,000 crowd capacity using the surrounding grass berms. The facility is designed to host higher numbers of fans during larger events.
KEY CONSULTANTS:
- Populous: Principal Design Consultant, Architecture, Interior Design & Wayfinding
- Duo Projects: Project Managers
- Aurecon: Engineers
- Sporteng: Field Engineers
- Aspect Studios: Landscape Architect
- FMG Engineering: Aquatics Engineer
- Philip Chun: Building Compliance
- Before Compliance: Access Consultant
