Deakin University
Elite sports precinct upgrade and redevelopment
Victoria

The initial design brief was to design an elite training and competition facility that would support the University sports teams, encourage use from the community to attract students, and enable the University sport science department to utilise the facility.

Late in the design process, the brief was expanded to increase the size of the AFL oval to suit the use of the Geelong Football Club as a training venue.

The developed of the elite facility now consists of:

• MCG sized AFL oval

• Cricket oval

• IAAF approved athletics running track

• FIFA endorsed synthetic grass soccer pitch (located within athletics track infield)

• Incline sprint track and long/triple jump facility

• Acrylic basketball/netball court

• Synthetic grass baseball diamond (including backstop fence and benches)

• Outdoor workout equipment

With this brand new world class outdoor sports surfaces, Deakin University adds a real asset to its education facilities. It provides a safe place for students to be active, while these world class facilities attract future students. 

Fields of Play are fast becoming the jewel in the crown of education facilities. Investing in your sports fields means growth and staying ahead of your competitors.

Even before the facility was completed, the University noted an increase in student enquiries. Those in the sports department believe the excitement around the new facility increased the interest in the University. Since completed, the Geelong Football Club has used the facility as a training venue for their AFL men’s and women’s teams and also for try-outs for the VFL woman’s team.

When discussing the project, Vice-Chancellor Professor Jane den Hollander said: "Geelong loves its sport and Deakin is a world leader in sport science teaching and exercise research, so this is a perfect match in every respect. [...] Our Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus is a significant contributor to teaching, research and community activity, and an elite sports precinct will add another exciting chapter to that story. The new suite of state-of-the-art facilities will boost students’ learning experiences and increase the number of people participating in sport and recreation across the Deakin and Geelong communities."

Source: Deakin University website - Elite sporting precinct for Deakin University in Geelong

When asked about his collaboration with SPORTENG on this project, Andrew Crowley, Manager Sport and Recreation at Deakin University, said: "Our Exercise and Sports Sciences courses are world class and the facilities were required to match that standard. SPORTENG took on the challenge to design the facility and manage the construction. The team at SPORTENG always had energy, were enthusiastic and demonstrated great technical skills. They certainly helped Deakin University establish a facility that we can be very proud of.”

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