City of Parramatta and Western Sydney Wanderers have kicked off a three-year partnership designed to grow grassroots football, develop emerging talent and create new opportunities for women and young people across Parramatta.

Endorsed by Council last night, the $100,000-a-year partnership will deliver new football pathways, clinics, fan experiences and a female leadership program to Parramatta for the first time, as well as four double-header matches at CommBank Stadium each regular season.

City of Parramatta Lord Mayor, Cr Cameron MacLean said the partnership delivers tangible community benefits whilst bringing more visitors into the city centre.

“Parramatta lives and breathes sport, and this partnership is about making sure our community has the right opportunity to be part of the action,” Cr MacLean said.

“We’re creating new pathways for our talented young footballers, backing women to become our next generation of leaders and bringing more football experiences to the heart of our city.

“As we continue our path towards becoming a global city, this partnership equally strengthens Parramatta’s position as the home of sport and entertainment and invests in our people, activating our city and creating experiences that our community can be proud of.”

Western Sydney Wanderers CEO Scott Hudson said the partnership with the City of Parramatta represented an important step in strengthening the Club’s connection with its community and creating more opportunities for people across Western Sydney to experience football.

“Parramatta is the heart of Wanderland, and this partnership is about continuing to build on that connection by making football more accessible, more inclusive and more visible across our community,” Hudson said.

“One of the most significant commitments is bringing a minimum of four A-League Women and Men Double Headers to CommBank Stadium each regular season including our first on November 20, doubling the number of women’s fixtures played in Parramatta and giving our female players the platform and exposure they deserve.

“Beyond these initiatives, we’re committed to reaching culturally diverse and disadvantaged communities through dedicated football programs, helping remove barriers to participation and ensuring more children and families have the opportunity to experience everything our Club has to offer.

“Together with the City of Parramatta, we have an opportunity to make a lasting impact, not only by bringing more people into CommBank Stadium, but by using football to connect communities, inspire young people and continue growing the game across Western Sydney.”

This becomes City of Parramatta’s third partnership with sporting clubs in the local area including the NRL’s Parramatta Eels and AFL’s GIANTS.

The Wanderers partnership will deliver:

• Four A-League Women matched in Parramatta – an increase from two, with the Western Sydney Wanderers committing to playing a minimum of four A-League double headers at CommBank Stadium each season.
• A commitment by the Wanderers to host a fan day at Parramatta Square.
• Four complimentary school holiday clinics for all rate payers in Parramatta LGA who have a child aged 5-13 (capped at 400 per annum)
• Five football clinics: To be run during each school holidays for people from diverse cultural background and underprivileged communities.
• One advanced pre-academy location in Parramatta: A selected advanced pathway to the Wanderers Academy applicable to boys and girls aged 8-12 and operated 40 weeks per year.
• An Emerging Female Leaders Program: Each grassroots club in Parramatta LGA invited to nominate an emerging leader to be part of a program led by former Matildas coach Tom Sermanni and Wanderers A-League women captain Rhianna Pollicina to upskill, network and empower to become future leaders.
• City of Parramatta to be a presenting partner at one key club event.