Illawarra Stingrays Statement

The following statement was provided to a local media organisation on 9 August 2023 after an enquiry about a home ground for the Illawarra Stingrays.

Wollongong City Council has identified a home ground option for the Illawarra Stingrays.  This was proposed in April 2022 and the Illawarra Stingrays are currently considering the option. While there were further conversations with Club representatives across 2022 about the draft proposal, the Club haven’t yet signed Council’s proposal documents related to a potential home ground.

We value the contribution the Illawarra Stingrays make to sport in our city, and in particular the participation of women and girls in football.

Council has provided a standalone training ground at Guest Park, Fairy Meadow. Together, Wollongong City Council, the Club and local Members of Parliament have also collaborated to provide improvements to Guest Park.

Council has made a significant investment in their training ground at Guest Park, Fairy Meadow. Since 2021, we have spent $1.2 million on improvements to gender equitable amenities, sports field lighting, drainage, fencing and seating at Guest Park. The works allowed the teams to train longer, have purpose-built women’s amenities and to protect the pitch against damage from cars and motorcycles.

We’re a proud sporting city and we celebrate the achievements of all those who have pursued professional careers at an elite level in their sporting code of choice – whether it be football, swimming, basketball, running, cycling, or hockey.

It’s important we get the balance right for access to sporting facilities and opportunities, regardless of the code, and we look forward to continuing to work with the Illawarra Stingrays on a long-term plan that provides them with a home ground.