AFL Buys Waverley Park from Hawthorn to Support Community Football and Talent Development

June 24, 2025
by Nini WB

Alex de Minaur, who is competing in this year’s US Open, reflects on a breakthrough moment – his first ATP title win at the 2019 Sydney International.

In a significant move for the future of Australian football, the AFL has officially acquired Waverley Park from the Hawthorn Football Club, confirming a rare and timely purchase that promises to enhance community footy, umpire development, and talent pathways across the league.

READ MORE : Rybakina reflects on Halep loss in Dubai: ‘I learned a good deal’

The landmark acquisition, finalized this week, marks a new chapter in the rich history of Waverley Park—formerly known as VFL Park—which has been a cornerstone of Australian football since it opened in 1970. The venue hosted a total of 732 AFL/VFL games, including 70 finals and even a Grand Final, before it ceased operations as a primary match venue in 1999. Since 2004, it has served as Hawthorn’s official training and administrative base.

With the Hawks preparing to transition to their new $100 million facility, the Kennedy Community Centre in Dingley, Waverley Park was listed for sale in February 2025. Ultimately, the AFL emerged as the ideal buyer. According to Hawthorn president Andy Gowers, the league was “the best fit” to ensure the long-term legacy of the venue is preserved while continuing to serve the broader football community.

AFL to Enhance Talent Pathways and Community Footy

The AFL’s Chief Executive, Andrew Dillon, described the purchase as both “rare and timely,” adding that it represents a strategic solution to several long-term goals for the league. He emphasized that Waverley Park will now play a key role in developing umpiring programs, talent pathways, and community football initiatives.

“Waverley Park has a deep legacy in Australian Rules Football,” Dillon said. “It was the first stadium ever built specifically for our sport, and now, with this purchase, we’re able to keep it within the AFL ecosystem.”

Dillon also outlined the league’s ambitious participation goals: aiming to reach 10 million total attendees across AFL and AFLW events, 2 million AFL club members, and 1 million grassroots participants in the near future. He emphasized the need for expanded greenspace to meet this growth, saying, “We need access to at least two new ovals every week for the next five years to support this national expansion.”

“I was definitely the underdog,” Garcia recalled. “I was playing the brand-new World No. 1. I couldn’t have dreamed of a better opponent — it was a great test for me after all those matches.”

“When you play a lot and keep winning, your movement sharpens, and you start hitting the ball much more cleanly. That’s exactly what happened in this match. And against someone like Halep, who’s very difficult to move around the court, that made all the difference.”

Reflecting on her 6-4, 7-6(3) victory, she added: “It’s nice to look back at those highlights. When things are going your way and you’re moving in the right direction, it can really push you forward.”

“Sometimes you go through difficult periods, and you’re unsure if the work you’re putting in will pay off. But when I held that trophy, I thought, ‘Okay, this was definitely worth it. Now I understand why I pushed myself — and why I want even more.’”

Check out the video to hear Garcia’s complete reflections, along with insights from her father and coach, Louis Paul.

Strengthening Hawthorn’s Financial Future

For Hawthorn, the sale not only marks the end of an era but also represents a strategic financial decision. The proceeds from the transaction will help fund the club’s upcoming move to its state-of-the-art Kennedy Community Centre, which is expected to become a major hub for both elite and community football.

Hawthorn’s Chief Operating Officer Jacob Attwood confirmed that the club worked closely with the AFL and real estate firm Colliers to ensure the venue’s historical importance would be maintained. “The historical significance of Waverley Park will be preserved,” Attwood said. “We’ve worked hard to ensure the best possible outcome for both Hawthorn and the future of the venue.”

He added that the sale leaves the club in a stronger financial position to execute its vision for the future, particularly as it prepares to shift into its new home base later this year.

A Strategic Move for the AFL’s Future

This move underscores the AFL’s ongoing commitment to investing in infrastructure that not only supports the elite level of the game but also fosters the growth of the sport at grassroots and community levels. With demand for playing fields rising rapidly due to the sport’s growing popularity, the league’s acquisition of Waverley Park comes at a critical time.

The venue’s central location and deep historical roots make it an ideal site for future player development programs, umpiring workshops, and community engagement initiatives.

As Australian football continues its national expansion, securing and revitalizing iconic venues like Waverley Park will be key to ensuring both the heritage and future of the game remain strong.

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