Minns Labor Government delivers long-awaited Bennelong Sports Centre for growing local community
Saturday, 9 May 2026
Editors’ note: Vision available here
Thirty-three new sport courts are now open in West Ryde, as the Minns Labor Government delivers a major new sporting hub for the Ryde community.
Bennelong Sports Centre (formally West Ryde Multi Sports Facility) has officially opened today on the former site of Marsden High School, transforming public land into a much-needed sports and recreation space for local families, clubs and communities.
The Minns Labor Government delivered the new sports centre in just over a year, which includes a modern 5,000 square metre indoor facility with four multipurpose courts for netball, basketball and volleyball, alongside 29 outdoor netball courts.
The redevelopment also includes landscaped communal green spaces with open lawns, picnic tables and seating, as well as almost 300 car parking spaces and bicycle parking.
The project repurposes the former site of Marsden High School after the school relocated to the Meadowbank Education and Employment Precinct in 2022.
The Minns Labor Government is proud to be delivering the Bennelong Sports Centre after the Liberals broke their promise to build this much-needed community facility.
Local sporting clubs and wider community were let down by the former Liberal National Government, which promised this facility in 2018 but failed to progress further than a media release.
This project is yet another example of the Liberals promising infrastructure to local communities but failing to deliver.
The new facilities will be open to the wider community, with its day-to-day operations managed by the Y NSW. The new centre helps address a longstanding shortage of quality sporting facilities across the area.
This project is part of the Minns Labor Government’s broader work in delivering the essential infrastructure growing families need and deserve.
Premier Chris Minns said:
“Netball is one of the biggest sports in our state, with thousands of people taking to the courts every weekend, and it deserves world-class facilities which is exactly what we’ve delivered.
“This facility is in no small part thanks to the persistent commitment of the Eastwood Ryde Netball Association and the local community who fought for these courts over many years.
“This new multi-purpose sports facility is about more than just sport, it’s about giving young people the chance to build confidence, resilience and lifelong friendships as part of a team while giving families a place where kids can get active, get off screens and spend time with their mates.”
Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:
“The new Bennelong Sports Centre is a major investment in community infrastructure, giving local families access to quality facilities they deserve.
“With school projects progressing nearby at Melrose Park, the Minns Labor Government is powering ahead with delivering the vital infrastructure the Liberals failed to provide local Ryde families.
“While the former government spent six years delivering nothing more than a media release, we’ve built the courts in just over a year. We will continue our work in ensuring growing communities across the state are equipped with the infrastructure they need.”
Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said:
“Local sport infrastructure plays a critical role in keeping communities healthy, active and connected and Bennelong Sports Centre will bring fans and players of all ages and abilities together both on and off the courts.
“Bennelong Sports Centre will become a vibrant community sporting hub for the entire community to enjoy, and we’re thrilled to see it officially open its doors.”
Federal Member for Bennelong Jerome Laxale said
“I’m delighted to see this regional sports facility officially open in Ryde, a facility that has been delivered and improved by the Minns Labor Government.
“Our community has waited long enough to see it come back to life, and I thank local residents and ERNA for engaging so constructively throughout this process.”
Councillor for City of Ryde Lyndal Howison said
“Netball has a long, proud history in Ryde but in recent years it has struggled with substandard facilities at Meadowbank. This new world-class centre will support players of all ages and finally provide the sports facilities our region needs.
“As someone who has spent many Saturday’s at netball courts, I am so proud to stand with the Eastwood Ryde Netball Association and the Minns Labor Government to deliver these new hardcourts for our entire community to use.”
Eastwood Ryde Netball Association (ERNA) President Karen Waud said:
“We have a very long and rich history as a community-run organisation in Ryde.
“This new facility will take us into the future and create opportunities for us to grow our community, our sport and our lifelong love of netball.”
The Y NSW CEO Rob Kennaugh said:
“The Y has been an important part of the Ryde community for 15 years and is proud to partner with the Department of Education to invest in new spaces where people can feel safe, connected and supported to thrive”
“The state-of-the-art Bennelong Sport Centre is an exciting new community hub for grassroots sport and creates meaningful opportunities for locals stay active and reach their potential, while strengthening connection across the community.”
“With the Y’s long history and experience in running community sports centres across NSW, we understand the significant role spaces like this play in bringing people together and inspiring lives.”
