Community
5 October, 2024
Football for all seasons
The two-storey structure looms over the field, promising a football hub for the whole community, but there is more to be done to complete the Stan Williams Park development.
On target for opening in April next year, stage 1, at $12 million, has been fully funded by Brothers Leagues Club and will provide a wide range of community sports for all seasons. But stage 2, an additional $6 million, needs Government backing.
Tim Rumford, the clubs head of football, oversees coaches, seniors and juniors, and everything in between. He is passionate about the depth of community programs run by Brothers.
Watching the winding up of a practice session with the all-abilities rugby league players on Field 1 at the park last week, Tim said the new venue and both stages of the development would, “allow us to do more of this” he nods to the motley crew of players finishing up their training.
The complex will feature an indoor and outdoor gym, with air conditioning, a theatre room, offices, conference rooms, change rooms, and rooms for medical treatment such as physiotherapy. Stage 2 would bring in more seating and shade and make use of the large grounds of the Park.
“Now these guys can train all year round, rain or shine, they will never have to miss a session and they love routine,” Tim said. “I expect it to grow and grow.”
‘These guys’ are a huge success story for Brothers. It began with about seven people, and a “couple of support people”, coming down to the club to take part in rugby league activities, Tim explained. After the COVID shutdown, it came back bigger and stronger, with “fantastic assistance from Arc Disability Services”.
“We brought in Jordan Biondi-Odo, as the Engagement Officer, and as you’ve seen today, about 30 players have turned up. Some are from the Endeavour Foundation, who are also on board, and some are independent with family support.
“We have calendared at least one game a year where they have a full 13-a-side game and that’s usually before an A grade game. It has a big crowd and it’s a highlight of the season, the all-abilities game.”
For Tim, personally, the community aspect of Brothers Leagues Club, as a not-for-profit group, is the “dead set the right thing to do”.
“Brothers understands their role in their community, it’s not corporate outcomes, but community outcomes we want,” he said. “Whether it’s the football club or delivering programs like this.”
Club chairman Stephen Widt said the progress of the new facilities, which began in March this year, was proof that Brothers puts the work in before putting its hand out.
“We’ve invested $12 million into Stage 1, and we are now seeking support for Stage 2, and importantly, both stages become 100 per cent community owned,” he said.
“Stage 2 is fully designed and shovel-ready,” Stephen continued, “and we have strong written support from major community stakeholders.”
Both Labor and LNP have been down to the park, have the background, and now it’s a matter of who will stump up the extra funds.
