One year on: Sydney’s new home for high-performance basketball nears completion

One year since breaking ground, Hoops Capital has marked a construction milestone at the new Auburn Basketball High Performance Centre, bringing together basketball and community leaders for a first look inside the state-of-the-art facility as it moves closer to completion at Wyatt Park.

Hoops Capital representatives were joined by Cumberland City Council Mayor Ola Hamed, Australian basketball legend Luc Longley and Sydney Kings and Sydney Flames coaches and players for a hard-hat walkthrough, showcasing the significant progress made over the past 12 months.

The project is transforming the existing Auburn Basketball Centre into a world-class Centre of Excellence and permanent home for the Sydney Kings, Sydney Flames and Hoops Capital Academy. It will be the only dedicated high-performance basketball facility in Sydney to serve both a men’s and women’s professional team.

Cumberland City Council Mayor Ola Hamed said the new Centre would deliver lasting benefits for local athletes and the wider community.

“This project is a proud investment in Auburn, in Western Sydney and in the next generation of basketball talent,” Mayor Hamed said. “The High Performance Centre will not only provide elite facilities for professional athletes, it will create stronger pathways for young players, support local participation and bring new energy to Wyatt Park as a community sporting hub.”

Featuring training courts, a high-performance gym, recovery facilities, film room, player lounge, retractable seating and administration spaces, the Centre has been designed to support athletes at the highest level while strengthening pathways for emerging talent and creating new opportunities for the broader Western Sydney community.

Hoops Capital Executive Director Matthew Denholm said seeing the facility take shape one year on was an important milestone.

“It’s incredible to be standing here almost exactly a year since we turned the first sod and see how far the facility has come,” Mr Denholm said.

“This has been a long time coming. We set out to create a genuine high-performance home for the Kings and Flames, but our vision has always extended beyond our professional teams to the local community.”

“We’re incredibly grateful to Cumberland City Council and the NSW Government for their support in bringing this project to life. We couldn’t have reached this point without their partnership and shared commitment to the future of basketball in Western Sydney.”

“We want this to be a place that strengthens basketball pathways, opens up opportunities for the community and inspires the next generation of athletes. We’re nearly there, and we can’t wait to officially open the doors in the New Year.”

Co-owner of Hoops Capital, Luc Longley said watching the progress has been inspiring for the team.

“This facility is going to level up our training and development programs both on and off the court. It’s a proud moment, not only for our players but also for our pathways and our community. I’m looking forward to when we cut the ribbon and officially open it next year.”

Hoops Capital CEO Mark Thompson said the Centre would be transformational for the Kings and Flames.

“For the first time, our teams will have a dedicated home that brings their training, recovery and performance needs together in one place,” Mr Thompson said.

“That is particularly significant for the Flames. Providing our female athletes with a world-class high-performance environment is an important investment in the continued growth of women’s basketball and the pathways behind it.”

Head Coach of the Sydney Flames, Renae Garlepp, said having a permanent high performance base would make a significant difference to the team’s preparation.

“Having our courts, gym, recovery and performance facilities together in one place will make a huge difference to how we prepare and develop as a team, particularly for women’s high-performance.”

“We’ve seen the impact a dedicated facility can have on teams across Australia and the world - it’s incredibly exciting that we’re on the cusp of having our own. This is a major milestone for elite basketball in Sydney and NSW.”

Three-time NBL Champion Xavier Cooks said the new facility would give the team a base to be proud of.

“We’ve watched it take shape over the past year, so seeing it this close to completion is exciting. It’s going to be an incredible place to train and something we’ll be proud to call home.”

With construction entering its final stages, Hoops Capital is inviting sporting organisations, community groups and other potential users interested in accessing the facility to reach out regarding future hire opportunities.

The Centre is expected to officially open in early 2027.

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