AusLeisure

The Panthers Rugby League Academy, a $22 million state-of-the-art facility located behind Panthers Leagues Club in the Western Sydney suburb of Penrith, has been opened,

Fully funded by the Panthers Group, the Academy will now become the fulltime training and development facility for the Panthers senior and junior squads, along with housing Panthers rugby league administration.

The Academy consists of two full-size all-weather training fields, two gymnasiums, hot and cold plunge pools, a 61-seat team auditorium, medical rooms and a number of recreational areas for players and staff.

The Academy was opened last week by Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who toured the facility with Panthers Chairman David O’Neill and Panthers Executive General Manager Rugby League Phil Gould AM, before being joined by Panthers legend John Farragher to formally open the facility.

Introducing the facility, Gould explained “we believe the Panthers Rugby League Academy is now the best of its kind for any sporting organisation in this country.

"It represents a huge investment by the Panthers in not only the game of rugby league, but the sporting landscape of Western Sydney as well.

"It should also be noted that this is more than just a factory for churning out rugby league players. 94 per cent of our contracted players, from the age of 16 through to our most senior NRL players, are actively engaged in schools, apprenticeships, trades or tertiary education courses. This facility caters for the welfare and education of all our players, on all levels."

Built on a site of about 40,000 metre² by Brookfield Multiplex, the centre was finished three months early and met the budget, funded by the Panthers Group.

Panthers Chairman O’Neill added “the Panthers Rugby League Academy is indicative of our steadfast commitment to Penrith and to the game of rugby league, now and into the future.

"It will become a source of inspiration for young rugby league players right across the Penrith district and regional areas. More kids than ever before will grow up dreaming of pulling on a Panthers jersey."

Images (from top): The front of the Panthers Rugby League Academy, the facility's gym and an aerial view of the site. (Images courtesy of Panthers Panthers).

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