Election promise keeps Bulls hopeful for training facilities funding

Macarthur FC could be set to benefit from significant funding for new football training facilities if the Peter Dutton-led Opposition is successful in the upcoming Federal election.

The current Federal Opposition have promised $7.5 million in funds to help start the construction of a new state of the art regional football facility in Macarthur, should the election fall their way.

Speaking on Paramount + during the broadcast of their 2-0 loss to Sydney FC, Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor said that the funding follows recent growth in football, with particular need to help support the grassroots game.

“Football is the region’s highest participation sport across all codes,” he said.

“It will be for boys, girls and for the senior teams to develop the very best players in this region, right across the Macarthur region,

“We want to see young boys and girls realising their potential in football. This is about making sure the fastest growing sport in the South-West gets a real (chance) to get ahead and attract the very best of the sport.”

The promise has shades of a similar pledge made by the State-level NSW Liberals ahead of the 2023 election, who promised $10 million to the Western Sydney Wanderers’ facilities at Wanderers Football Park.

For Macarthur, these funds represent an opportunity to elevate their football operations and development strategies in the region.

Western United, who entered the A-Leagues a year before the Bulls, have seen significant success with the construction of their own facilities in the west of Melbourne, and have shown the benefits that come from clubs having their own facilities.

And with the club reportedly paying very little in stadium rent – unlike many teams in the competition – Macarthur FC chairman Gino Marra acknowledges that this funding could uniquely position the Bulls to become one of the country’s elite clubs.

“This is really important for us. This allows us to develop children through to the next Socceroos and Matildas,” he said.

“We’ve had four players that have come through our academy in five years who have gone off to follow their dreams.

“This will allow us to have the best football facility in the country.”

The 2025 Federal Election is set to take place on or before May 17th.