RUGBY LEAGUE INFRASTRUCTURE
Stadia, Centres of Excellence, and National Facilities Policy
Project Overview
Gemba has completed numerous infrastructure engagements for the NRL over a number of years. These span across grass roots facilities, high performance centres and stadia. Gemba prepared a comprehensive options paper for the NRL’s Stadia Strategy, devised its National Facilities Policy and formulated its ‘Centres of Excellence’ program. Recently we have undertaken Centre of Excellence feasibility studies for various NRL clubs, and we continue to represent a number of NRL clubs in relation to their Centre of Excellence projects.
Execution
As part of our work with the NRL, Gemba completed a comprehensive review of the existing stadia and training facility network. This involved touring and benchmarking every NRL match day stadium and NRL club training facility in NSW, as well as selected stadia and training facilities elsewhere in Australia and New Zealand. Through this process, Gemba engaged extensively with key stakeholders including NRL clubs, venue operators, local and state governments, and state and local Rugby League associations.
Results
Through the various engagements, Gemba has completed the most comprehensive review of NRL-related venues and facilities ever undertaken. This provided the NRL and its stakeholders with a clear picture of infrastructure priorities as well as a framework, evidence base and strategy for future decision making relating to the planning, development and investment in stadia, Centres of Excellence and grass roots facilities. In April 2016, the NRL secured a New South Wales State Government funding commitment of approximately $1.6 billion for stadia in Sydney including the establishment of a $40 million NRL Centres of Excellence Fund for NSW based NRL clubs.