Juventus Academy Sydney establishes new home at Fairfield Showground
Explore Councils by state
Elite football development institute Juventus Academy Sydney has expanded its reach by setting up a new base at Fairfield Showground’s new synthetic field.
Juventus Academy Sydney is the local arm of a global football training and development network that is tied to the famous European football club Juventus FC.
Fairfield City Mayor Frank Carbone and City Manager Alan Young welcomed the Academy to Fairfield Showground on Monday, meeting with Juventus Academy Regional Coaching Director Lorenzo Grossi from Italy, Academy Directors Terry Leckie and Andrea Merenda, coaching staff, players, and 1974 Socceroos World Cup Coach Rale Rasic.
Juventus Academy Sydney Director Terry Leckie said the new synthetic field has allowed the Academy to expand the development programs on offer to its players.
Mr Leckie thanked Mayor Frank Carbone and Fairfield City Council for supporting the development of sports and youth programs through investment in local sporting facilities.
“We are pleased for Juventus Academy to be part of this first class sporting complex where our Italian coaches will not only teach the Juventus methods but provide sound guidance in the good values young footballers need to learn,” Mr Leckie said.
“We look forward to a long term commitment at the Fairfield Showground sports complex which will play a key role in the future development of youth sport in the Fairfield region.”
Mayor Carbone said Juventus Academy Sydney choosing Fairfield Showground as a new base is a huge vote of confidence in the new synthetic field and the broader Showground redevelopment project.
“With the development of high quality facilities such as the new synthetic field, Council has returned Fairfield Showground to the people,” Mayor Carbone said.
“We are welcoming people of all abilities from across our City and Sydney, whether they are junior players or elite teams. There is something for everyone here at Fairfield Showground.
“I am proud that Juventus Academy Sydney has chosen to use our synthetic field as part of its development network and I look forward to seeing tomorrow’s champion footballers honing their considerable skills here in Fairfield City.”
So far, Juventus Academy Sydney, Marconi Stallions, Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC, Sydney United 58 FC and Mounties Wanderers Football Club have signed on to use the new field.
The $3.5 million synthetic field allows sporting clubs to train and compete in all weather conditions while providing a high quality and hard-wearing playing surface. It can also be divided to allow multiple hirers to use it at the same time and features powerful 200 lux lighting for night use.
Council will be applying to have the field accredited to FIFA standards.
The field is part of the $25 million redevelopment of Fairfield Showground into a regional multicultural and sporting centre of excellence, which also includes a new festival arena; international turf football field; multipurpose amenities building with high standard change rooms, doctors’ rooms, canteen and more; and expansion of the undercover festival awning.