Football scores with Stage 2 of Sam Kerr Football Centre
The WA Government has officially kicked off Stage 2 works on the State's premier football facility, with the first sod turned on the $4 million expansion of the Sam Kerr Football Centre.
- First sod turned on $4 million contract to expand Sam Kerr Football Centre
- Expansion to cater for booming football participation across WA
- Comes as the Government commits $332 million in 2025-26 State Budget for sports infrastructure projects across the State
The WA Government has officially kicked off Stage 2 works on the State's premier football facility, with the first sod turned on the $4 million expansion of the Sam Kerr Football Centre.
The expansion of the $50.9 million centre will significantly increase its capacity, adding two new natural turf pitches, lighting, shade structures, fencing and landscaping.
Football participation in Western Australia has surged to historic highs, with significant growth across all demographics - most notably a 34 per cent increase in female participation.
Stage 2 will secure the pitches needed to continue to support increased grassroots and high-performance participation in football in Western Australia.
Since opening in October 2023, the centre in Queens Park has already established itself as a premier sporting venue, having successfully hosted A-League Women's matches, national championships, and served as a training base for international teams during the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023.
The additional pitches will ensure the centre can simultaneously support community programs, development pathways, and elite competition - all at a single world-class facility.
The Stage 2 expansion is scheduled for completion early 2026.
The commencement of Stage 2 comes as the WA Government confirms a massive $332 million investment in the upcoming State Budget for sports infrastructure across the State.
The funding includes a range of projects committed at the State Election, such as:
- Upgrades at the Perth Soccer Club as part of the State's $30 million contribution to redevelop the Dorrien Gardens precinct;
- $22.5 million for a new Port Hedland Aquatic Centre;
- $20 million towards the new Malaga Sports Precinct;
- $16 million towards major upgrades at Warwick Stadium to cater for an additional 800 players and increase basketball development pathways for talented players;
- $15.5 million to support the construction of the Leschenault Leisure Centre;
- $12.5 million towards a new Binar Futures community sporting hub; and
- $17.6 million for upgrades at grassroot motorsport facilities including racetracks, kart clubs, motorcross and speedways around the State.
- The package will also support the creation of a Boosting Women and Girls Participation in Sport grant program, with $30 million allocated for grants for Local Government Authorities and community sporting organisations to upgrade women's sporting facilities.
The sporting infrastructure package builds on the WA Labor Government's unprecedented investment in local infrastructure to help more Western Australians play sport and stay connected to their communities.
Comments attributed to Premier Roger Cook:
"I am excited to be able to announce the start of the Stage 2 upgrades at the Sam Kerr Football Centre.
"The $4 million expansion of the State's premier football facility will secure the infrastructure needed to continue to support football at a community and elite level, as well as continue to increase women's participation in the sport.
"These upgrades are part of my government's record investment in community sporting infrastructure and part of our commitment to never stop working to ensure all Western Australians - no matter where they live - have access to world-class sporting facilities and clubs."
Comments attributed to Sport and Recreation Minister Rita Saffioti:
"The Stage 2 upgrades will make the Sam Kerr Football Centre even bigger and better, providing extra capacity to encourage more grassroots community use of the facility while still supporting high-performance training and competition.
"The centre is a valuable asset for WA sport and the community, and Sam Kerr's connection to the centre will continue to inspire a new generation of young players eager to follow in her footsteps and realise their dreams.
"It complements our massive $332 million investment in the upcoming State Budget for community sports facilities all around Western Australia that we committed to at the State Election.
"We're really proud as a government to be investing record amounts in community sporting infrastructure, because we want all Western Australians - no matter where they live - to have access to world-class sporting facilities and clubs.
"Not only does this support healthier lifestyles through sport and physical activity but also brings people together to create a sense of community."
Comments attributed to Cannington MLA Ron Sao:
"The addition of these new pitches will ensure our local infrastructure keeps pace with growing demand for the game.
"It's fantastic to have this important, high-performance training facility right here in our local community."
