Overview
You may soon be donning a guernsey instead of a hat to head to Royal Randwick Racecourse, with news that the eastern suburbs horse racing ground could soon be home to a purpose-built AFL field.
The potential new field is the result of a just-signed partnership between the Australian Turf Club (owners of four horse racing courses across Sydney) and the Australian Football League, which would also see the two collaborate on membership deals and events.
As reported by the SMH, the new oval is slated for completion by 2019, with the field being built in the middle of the racecourse, a barren area often used for parking. It was also reported that the oval's construction would not impact on the course's racing schedule.
The ATC announced that the new oval would host Sydney Swans and Greater Western Sydney games, and would also be the new pre-season training ground for the Swans, whose previous training ground has been impacted by the (never-ending) light trail project.
The team's old training venue in Moore Park has been restricted by the encroaching light rail construction, with management announcing in January that it was on the look out for a new ground and facilities.
If it goes ahead, the new Randwick Racecourse AFL field would also take pressure off the SCG later this year when Moore Park's Allianz Stadium is knocked down and rebuilt.
The partnership also opens up future possibilities with other AFL clubs — ATC's Rosehill Gardens venue, for example, is close to the training ground of Sydney's newer AFL team, Greater Western Sydney.