Western United is heading home.
Wyndham City Council announced on Tuesday that work on the Regional Football Facility in Tarneit is now almost complete, with Western United to move in and begin preparations for the first home matches.
Western United supporters have been behind the Club throughout its journey and will be able to witness the nation’s best footballers in their own backyard in 2024.
The Liberty A-League Women home fixture against Newcastle Jets on Sunday 17 March is earmarked for the opening match, followed closely by NPL Victoria and Isuzu UTE A-League Men games.
Western United and Western Melbourne Group (WMG) Chairman Jason Sourasis praised this as a monumental moment for the Club and said everyone would be working feverishly to be ready to host games as soon as possible.
“This is a momentous milestone for everyone involved in the project. It allows us to move into our permanent home, playing out of only the second rectangular stadium in the state of Victoria that is approved to play A-League Men and A-League Women games,” he said.
“The next phase of growth for Western United Football Club will be underpinned by a community and fan-first philosophy as we entrench our football club into the Wyndham community and grow our own brand empathy within the fastest-growing municipality in Australia.
“I thank everyone that has been on this journey for their unwavering belief, effort, support and patience.”
Western United Liberty A-League Women Head Coach Kat Smith added her anticipation at playing in front of the Green and Black faithful in the opening match at Tarneit.
“It’s such a privilege for myself, the players and all the fans who’ve joined our journey of building a football club to share this significant milestone of moving into our new headquarters and playing a home match for the very first time,” he said.
“I’m extremely impressed with the facility, the equality in its design shows the respect the Club and our partners have for our A-League women and how invested they are in building an amazing future for female football.
“The girls will be absolutely buzzing to be playing in this historic opening match in Tarneit, we can’t wait.
Western United Isuzu UTE A-League Head Coach John Aloisi echoed Smith, highlighting this as a landmark day for the community and for football in Australia.
“Our boys are so eager and excited to get to Tarneit, create our home and just start sharing football experiences with the local community. The preamble is over, we’re coming home now.
“This facility and the broader stadium project – it gives kids in the West who love our sport a real opportunity to develop and to dream of becoming a professional footballer and representing our nation as a Matilda or Socceroo.
“It truly is a great day for football.”
Wyndham City Mayor, Councillor Jennie Barrera, said completion of the facility marked the first stage of Council’s landmark A-League Stadium Project with WMG.
The next stage of the project, led by WMG, will deliver a purpose-built, 15,000-capacity football stadium and 800-lot residential community, with WMG recently announcing YourLand Developments and Johnson Controls as major project partners.
“It’s been a long time coming and we are so excited to welcome Western United to its rightful home in Tarneit,” Cr Barrera said.
“Our priority has been getting Western United to base its operations here in Wyndham, and by using the training facility as a matchday venue for both A-League Men and A-League Women matches until the stadium is built, we’re doing just that.”
Wyndham City Council continues to be a significant supporter of Western United, developing a state-of-the-art facility to become a home of football for communities in the West.
Western United and Wyndham City will share additional updates as soon as possible on confirmed matchdays, events and ticketing information for the Regional Football Facility.
WMG and major project partners YourLand Developments and Johnson Controls will continue progressing work on the $2 billion development and delivery of Australia’s first sports and recreation focused suburb in Melbourne’s West, scheduled for phased completion over the coming 10 years.
