AusLeisure

The NRL’s Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles have officially opened their new $32.5 million Northern Grandstand and Centre of Excellence at their home ground of 4 Pines Park on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.

The 3,000-seat grandstand, named after Manly’s greatest ever player, Bob Fulton, and Centre of Excellence was officially opened yesterday at half time in the Sea Eagles first home NRL game of the 2022 season against the Bulldogs by the Fulton family.

The Centre of Excellence provides an integrated high-performance training, administration and community facility for the identification, development and fostering of rugby league talent in the region.

A brilliant centre/five-eighth, Fulton holds the unique distinction of winning premiership titles and Ashes series as a player, captain and coach.

With the new Northern Grandstand to now be known as the Bob Fulton Stand, the existing Fulton-Menzies Stand at the southern end of the ground will be renamed the Lyons-Menzies Stand after champion Manly players Steve Menzies and Cliff Lyons.

Bob Fulton’s widow, Anne, said the naming of the new grandstand was very special for the family.

Their children, Scott (Recruitment Manager), Brett (SG Ball Coach) and Kristie (Elite Pathways Manager) continue to play important roles for the Manly Club.

She stated “the Bob Fulton Stand is a legacy for our grandkids and future generations. His memory will always live on. Bob was very passionate about Manly and always wanted to ensure success for the Club.”

The NSW Government contributed $20 million towards the project through its Centres of Excellence Programs, part of an overall $110 million contribution to eight Centres of Excellence projects under the NRL Centres of Excellence Program.

All Centres of Excellence include dedicated female programs and facilities to improve pathways for women and girls in line with the NSW Government’s women in sport strategy, Her Sport Her Way.

Each Centre of Excellence also includes multi-purpose facilities, enabling sporting organisations to expand community programs and better engage with their communities.

Welcoming the contribution to the project from the Federal and NSW Governments, Manly Sea Eagles Chairman, Scott Penn stated “we have worked extremely well together in delivering state of the art facilities, an elite training and playing field, and a magnificent grandstand providing great comfort and amenities for the community of northern Sydney to enjoy for many years to come.”

Beyond this, the club is seeking further funds from the Federal and NSW Governments to redevelop the Northern Beaches Council-owned 4 Pines Park into an enclosed rectangular stadium.

Images: 4 Pines Park's new Bob Fulton Stand [top, credit: SDA Structures] and Anne Fulton (centre) with her sons Scott (left) and Brett at the new grandstand [below, credit: Manly Media].

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