Fremantle’s new elite training and administration facility at Cockburn Central has set the bar high for sports in Australia, according to newly appointed AFL chairman Richard Goyder.
Goyder was given a tour of the facility by Fremantle CEO Steve Rosich on a recent visit to his native Western Australia.
The chairman, who took over from Mike Fitzpatrick in April, is a “proud” former Fremantle board member – serving from 2006 to 2011 during a time when the club first started researching its options for a new home base.
“I was at the club during a time when this was just a dream,” Goyder said.
“The new facilities at Cockburn Central are unbelievable. Steve and the whole football club should be immensely proud of what has been built here.
“It’s exciting. It’s an awesome facility and you can only dream of being a young player drafted to the Fremantle Football Club, male or female, and having these facilities.”
Goyder’s visit included a tour of Fremantle’s new gym, altitude training room and hot and cold active recovery pools.
The visit ended with a tour of the Cockburn ARC, which is expected to up to one million visitors a year.
“I can’t imagine a facility better than this for a professional sporting club,” Goyder said.
“In terms of the outdoor, the indoor, the administration, the coaching and football side of things - the facilities for the players are absolutely world class.
“The club and the Cockburn City Council should be really proud of it.”
Goyder said the new facility was especially exciting for Fremantle’s members and supporters.
“My message for members and supporters would be to get around the club,” Goyder said.
“This is an amazing facility. This will bring out the best in the coaches, the players and the administration.
“The club needs the support of all of their fans and I think this is now the preeminent sporting facility in the country and, hopefully, everyone gets behind that and supports the club.”
