AusLeisure

An agreement between the City of Fremantle Council and Perth Glory agreement could see the historic Fremantle Oval become Glory’s administrative headquarters and a training facility for Glory’s A-League, W-League and youth teams. Perth Glory would also seek to deliver women’s league games, a pre-season men’s game and a family open day.

Fremantle Council’s Finance, Policy, Operations and Legislation Committee has endorsed the terms of a licence agreement that could see Glory occupy the ground floor of the City of Fremantle’s current administration building for three years with an option to extend for a further two years.

Fremantle Council has endorsed a $37 million Fremantle Oval Redevelopment Masterplan, which includes new clubrooms and grandstands, improved spectator facilities and lighting upgrades.

Fremantle Deputy Mayor Andrew Sullivan said Glory moving to Fremantle Oval would strengthen the case for the redevelopment of the historic ground noting “the opportunity to bring Perth Glory to Fremantle Oval is an exciting prospect that would be beneficial for both the City and Glory.

“Our masterplan for the redevelopment of Fremantle Oval is to attract a compatible mix of sports, education, festive and community uses, as well as connect the under-utilised green spaces to both the hospital and the city centre. 

“While WAFL football will remain the core activity for the oval, the addition of the Fremantle Dockers AFLW matches and Glory's training and administrative headquarters would provide year-round sporting usage of one of the best ovals in Perth.”

Perth Glory Chief Executive, Tony Pignata said the club was delighted to be entering into an exciting partnership with the City of Fremantle.

“The elite-level facilities at Fremantle Oval will be hugely beneficial for our A-League and W-League squads, and this move will therefore play a major role in reinforcing our drive to bring sustained success to the club.

“We are also excited by the opportunity to engage with what is a very vibrant and diverse local community.

“The City of Fremantle has been hugely supportive and proactive throughout our relocation process and we look forward to continuing to work closely with them in the coming years.”

Since 2018 the City of Fremantle’s administration has been temporarily based in the former Fremantle Dockers building at Fremantle Oval, but the City is due to move out in November when the new Walyalup Civic Centre is complete.

The City will now look to present a draft licence to the club for consideration. If terms are acceptable to the club, the City will then advertise the proposed licence under the requirements of the Local Government Act for a minimum of two weeks and invite submissions, before going back to the council for final approval.

The council also committed to finding a means to allow Perth Glory to access to training pitches elsewhere in Fremantle without compromising the capacity for the expansion of not-for-profit community sports.

The City will undertake an options analysis of suitable recreation space within Fremantle for Glory to use as a training or match pitch for the council to consider concurrently with final approval for the licence at Fremantle Oval.

Image courtesy of City of Fremantle

Related Articles

10th September 2021 - VenuesLive steps up recruitment drive for Optus Stadium hospitality staff

19th August 2021 - Construction begins on Western Australia’s State Football Centre and $35 million upgrade announced for HBF Park

10th May 2021 - Fremantle Oval Masterplan endorsed by council

7th April 2021 - Professional footballers make use of $1 million in education subsidies

1st April 2021 - Host cities and venues announced for FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023

31st December 2020 - A-League completes separation from Football Australia

23rd August 2020 - FFA advises of record digital fan engagement for 2019/20 A-League

19th June 2020 - FFA agrees new broadcast deal with A-League 2020/21 season set for winter finish

13th May 2020 - FFA set lose $6 million sponsorship with major A-League sponsor Hyundai

25th February 2020 - Perth Glory FC sale off following revelations over buyer

13th February 2020 - London Football Exchange announce deal to buy A-League’s Perth Glory

13th February 2020 - A-League’s Perth Glory agrees new sponsorship as ownership change looms

12th July 2019 - Western Australian Government takes HBF Park developer to Court over venue ‘defects’

23rd April 2018 - Peter Filopoulos moves from Perth Glory to become Football Federation Victoria Chief Executive

13th October 2015 - Fremantle Dockers ask for compensation in making Cockburn move

30th June 2010 - Coffey master planning redevelopment of Fremantle Oval Precinct

---

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.