A new $65 million sports and community facility has officially opened in Wollongong, marking a major development for sport in the Illawarra region. The new St George Illawarra Dragons Community and High Performance Centre is expected to become a key hub for elite athletes, grassroots sport, and women’s participation.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese joined Sport Minister Anika Wells and local representatives at the University of Wollongong Innovation Campus on Friday to officially launch the facility. The project was funded by the federal government, the New South Wales government, and the Dragons club.
Albanese said the centre would help develop future rugby league talent and strengthen the sporting culture across the region. He added that the investment would create opportunities for both boys and girls hoping to become future NRL and NRLW players.
Rugby league has always been about community.
And that community spirit is alive here at the new home of the St George Illawarra Dragons.
The Bruce Gordon Centre combines world class sporting infrastructure for both men and women, with the very best of community facilities.… pic.twitter.com/IkzwJV0wJR
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) May 22, 2026
The federal government contributed $13.6 million to the project, which brings together the Dragons’ training, administration, and community programs in one location.
The Bruce Gordon Centre features two full-sized NRL training fields, high-performance gym and sports science facilities, medical and treatment areas, lecture theatres, meeting rooms, community spaces, and dedicated facilities for both male and female athletes.
The centre also includes a research and collaboration hub in partnership with University of Wollongong to strengthen connections between sport, education, and health.
Officials expect the facility to attract around 6,000 more women and girls into sport in the Illawarra region over the next 10 years. Dragons chairman Andrew Lancaster said the new centre would create long-term opportunities for young athletes and strengthen the club’s ties with the community.