Tom Wills Oval

Tom Wills Oval

Tom Wills Oval prior to redevelopment in 2012
Interactive map of Tom Wills Oval
Location	Sydney Olympic Park
Coordinates	33°51′08″S151°04′22″E / 33.85231562940976°S 151.07282569999998°E / -33.85231562940976; 151.07282569999998
Capacity	1,000
Construction
Broke ground	April 2013;12 years ago (April 2013)
Opened	6 May 2013;12 years ago (6 May 2013)
Construction cost	A$11.6 million
Tenants
Greater Western Sydney Giants (2013–present)

Tom Wills Oval is the training facility and headquarters of the Greater Western Sydney Giants, an Australian rules football club that competes in the Australian Football League (AFL) and AFL Women's (AFLW). It is located in Sydney Olympic Park near Sydney Showground Stadium, where the Giants play most of their AFL home matches.

The facility is named after Tom Wills, one of the founders of Australian rules football, who was born in the colony of New South Wales. ^[1]

History

After being established in 2010, the Giants utilised Blacktown ISP Oval in Rooty Hill as their main training facility. ^{[2] [3]} Home matches were played in Blacktown when the club competed in the TAC Cup in 2010 and the North East Australian Football League (NEAFL) in 2011. ^{[4] [5]} One match was played at the ground against West Coast during the Giants' inaugural AFL season in 2012, with the remainder of home matches played at Stadium Australia, Sydney Showground Stadium and Manuka Oval. ^{[6] [7]}

In April 2013, an A$11.6 million redevelopment of a former golf driving range into the club's new training ground commenced. The facility opened on 6 May 2013 and was named "Tom Wills Oval". ^[8]

Tom Wills Oval will host its first Victorian Football League (VFL) match in round 1 of the 2026 season when the Giants host St Kilda. ^[9]

References

1. Cherny, Daniel; Rugari, Vince (20 September 2021). "AFL clubs seek advice after Tom Wills discovery". Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 3 February 2026. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
2. "2010 NAB Cup Fixtures". GWS GIANTS. 27 October 2009. Archived from the original on 3 February 2026. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
3. "From the Archives: The GIANTS at Blacktown International Sportspark". GWS GIANTS. 7 March 2018. Archived from the original on 3 February 2026. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
4. "Tough Start for Team GWS". GWS GIANTS. 6 April 2010. Archived from the original on 3 February 2026. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
5. "New League for Lions Reserves". Brisbane Lions. 7 January 2011. Archived from the original on 3 February 2026. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
6. Browne, Ashley (28 October 2011). "Greater Western Sydney's 2012 draw". AFL.com.au. Archived from the original on 3 February 2026. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
7. "History in Blacktown". GWS GIANTS. 11 April 2012. Archived from the original on 3 February 2026. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
8. "GIANTS Honour Tom Wills". GWS GIANTS. 6 May 2013. Archived from the original on 3 February 2026. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
9. "2026 Smithy's VFL Round 1 fixture". AFL.com.au. 30 January 2026. Archived from the original on 3 February 2026. Retrieved 3 February 2026.