Back to Belmore is celebrating a huge step forward with the Centre of Excellence proposal at Belmore Sports Ground after the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure ticked off the $43 million redevelopment.

The facility will be home to the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs NRL and NRLW teams as well as high-performance training facilities and administration and meeting spaces.

Back to Belmore President Luke Cevolani called the facility a game-changer for the Canterbury-Bankstown region.

“The announcement is an incredible win for the Canterbury-Bankstown community and Western Sydney,” Mr Cevolani said.

“Since the establishment of Back to Belmore in 2005, we have played and continue to play a crucial role in promoting the advancement of Belmore Sports Ground as a top-class sporting facility. This complex will be the new beating heart of Belmore and an incubator for the next generation of sports players, attracting visitors from far and wide, providing a boost to the local economy and building upon the already strong sporting and cultural ecosystem in the Canterbury-Bankstown region. We look forward to working with all stakeholders to deliver this project.”

Vice President Steven Cataldi said the new facility would help the growth of women's participation in sport.

“Bridging the gender gap is crucial to help more women and girls have access to more sport in the Canterbury-Bankstown area,” Mr Cataldi said.

“Having equitable male and female facilities is what women in professional sport deserve. Young boys and girls learning how to win, how to lose, how to be part of a team is crucial for social and human development. That's why rugby league and team sports are so important.”

Patron Luke Brailey said the project was a significant investment in local sport and the community.

“This critical investment will provide a base for men's and women's rugby league to deliver the next chapter in Canterbury's proud history,” Mr Brailey said.

“Over the past twenty years, advocating the preservation and restoration of Belmore Sports Ground has been a journey of immense collaboration and teamwork. Thank you to everyone who has been part of this incredible endeavour. Together we have shaped the future of this historic venue and created an epic legacy for future generations.”

The development is expected to start in October and scheduled to be completed in 2026.