Centre of Excellence Project

Construction Officially Begins on the Manly Gymnastics Centre of Excellence 

The Manly Warringah Gymnastics Club has officially marked the start of construction for the long-awaited Manly Gymnastics Centre of Excellence, with a Turning of the Sod ceremony attended by gymnasts, parents, staff, and members of the broader Northern Beaches community, including our future neighbours from the Warringah Golf Club, alongside representatives from all levels of government. 

The ceremony opened with a Traditional Smoking Ceremony and an Acknowledgement of Country by Susan Moylan-Coombs, paying respect to the traditional custodians of the land and recognising the ongoing connection of Aboriginal peoples to this area. Held onsite at the future home of the Centre, the event celebrated years of planning, advocacy, and community support, and signalled the beginning of a project that will shape the sporting landscape of the Northern Beaches for generations. 

Distinguished Guests in Attendance 

The ceremony brought together a strong cross-section of community leadership, including: 

• Zali Steggall OAM MP, Federal Member for Warringah 

• Greg Donnelly MLC, representing NSW Minister for Sport Stephen Kamper 

• James Griffin MP, Member for Manly 

• Cr Sue Heins, Mayor of Northern Beaches 

• Michael Regan MP, Member for Wakehurst 

• Members of the MWGC Board, staff, athletes, and families 

Their presence reflected the shared commitment across local, state, and federal governments to delivering a best-in-class sporting facility for the region. 

A Project Decades in the Making 

The Turning of the Sod marks the transition from planning into full delivery. With major funding secured from both the Commonwealth Thriving Suburbs Program and the NSW Government Centre of Excellence Program, the project is now officially underway. 

Once completed, the Centre will include: 

• A full international-standard artistic gymnastics hall 

• Dedicated spaces for recreational gymnastics 

• Increased capacity to serve more local families than ever before 

• Modern amenities designed for community use 

The facility is expected to support over 300,000 local visits per year, making it one of the most used indoor community sport venues on the Northern Beaches. 

Senator Tony Sheldon: “A Place for Everyone” 

The Australian Government’s support through the Thriving Suburbs Program has been instrumental. Senator Tony Sheldon provided the following remarks for the occasion: 

Attributable to Senator for NSW Tony Sheldon: 

“It’s fantastic to see the Albanese Labor Government investing in community sport right here on the Northern Beaches. 

This new Centre of Excellence will be a place for everyone – from mums and dads bringing their kids to try their first cartwheel, to athletes chasing their Olympic dreams. 

Through programs like the Thriving Suburbs Program, we’re backing projects that bring people together and build stronger, more connected communities.

The Manly Warringah Gymnastics Club has worked tirelessly to make this happen, and I’m thrilled to see that the project is now underway. I look forward to visiting when the doors open and seeing families from across the community enjoying this incredible new facility.” 

What Was Said 

At the event, David Krantz, CEO of MWGC, reflected on the significance of the moment: 

“Our commitment is for MWGC to be the place where every journey from cartwheels to the Olympics matters. The Centre of Excellence, here at Nolan Reserve, will allow that commitment to ring true for generations of athletes, young and old. This will be the place where Olympic dreams are held, nurtured and achieved.” 

Mayor Sue Heins highlighted the project’s community impact, calling it a “vibrant sporting hub” that will enhance recreation across the Northern Beaches. 

Zali Steggall spoke about the broader legacy: 

“It will mean a lot to young people, who are looking to the 2028 and 2032 Olympics, to have such an incredible centre here on the Northern Beaches. This centre won’t be just for gymnastics; it will provide skills that are incredibly important across a number of sports.” 

Both James Griffin and Michael Regan were acknowledged for their instrumental roles in helping secure the state grant that made this facility possible. 

Why This Matters 

This ceremony represents more than a construction milestone — it is a commitment to a long-term legacy for local sport. 

The Centre of Excellence will deliver elite gymnastics and trampoline training, community sport, coach education, and multi-sport programs for all ages. It reinforces the partnership between MWGC, Northern Beaches Council, the NSW Government, and the Australian Government — united in delivering a facility that supports both high performance and broad community access. 

Looking Ahead 

With construction now underway, the Manly Gymnastics Centre of Excellence moves from vision to reality. Over the coming months, the community will see the site transform as early works, foundations, and structural progress take shape. 

While this day marks a major step forward, there is still important work ahead — and we are actively seeking value-driven partners who share our vision to join us on this journey and help deliver a world-class facility for our community. 

We look forward to providing regular updates as we deliver this once-in-a-generation project for our athletes, families, and community. 

HGW Projects Appointed as Centre of Excellence Project Manager

We are proud to announce a pivotal moment in the development of the Manly Warringah Gymnastics Centre of Excellence: the appointment of HGW Projects as our official Project Manager.

About HGW Projects

Founded in 2010 by Hugh Gretton‑Watson, HGW Projects is a specialist provider of Project and Development Management services, operating across NSW, Victoria, and Queensland 

With offices in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, the firm has delivered over 165 projects spanning sectors such as residential, commercial, mixed-use, retail, health, aged care, and hospitality 

HGW’s team is dedicated to understanding clients’ commercial goals and adding value from concept through delivery—providing services from feasibility studies and design coordination to contract supervision and stakeholder engagement 

Why HGW Projects Fits Our Vision

HGW’s reputation for tailored, client-focused delivery, combined with their experience managing high-profile developments—including heritage restorations, mixed-use precincts, and community facilities—means they’re ideally matched to guide the Centre of Excellence through design, approvals, and construction.

The team’s hands‑on approach and sector-specific expertise will ensure clear governance, cost control, and timely coordination with stakeholders like architects, consultants, Northern Beaches Council, and Gymnastics NSW and Australia.

CEO Comment

“This is a defining moment for our project,” said David Krantz, CEO of Manly Warringah Gymnastics Club.

“We chose HGW Projects because their values and strategic approach align perfectly with our mission — delivering an elite, sustainably designed, and community-first gymnastics facility. We’re confident they will guide us through to successful completion.”

What Happens Next

HGW Projects will now lead the transition into the detailed design and pre-construction phase, coordinating key activities such as tendering, scheduling, risk analysis, and build strategy. They will work collaboratively with the MWGC Board, design team, and local authorities to ensure all elements are aligned for delivery.

We will continue to post regular project updates, highlighting progress on design milestones, community engagement, stakeholder briefings, and construction timelines. Your support helps bring this legacy facility closer to reality!

Stay tuned for our next milestone update.

Milestone: Federal Government Backing Through Thriving Suburbs Program

We are excited to share another major funding success for the Manly Gymnastics Centre of Excellence — the award of $5.15 million from the Australian Government under its Thriving Suburbs Program.

This investment complements the NSW Government’s earlier support and brings us significantly closer to delivering a nationally significant, community-first sporting facility that will serve athletes and families across the Northern Beaches for generations.

About the Thriving Suburbs Program

The Thriving Suburbs Program is part of the Federal Government’s Growing Regions initiative, designed to invest in infrastructure that supports stronger, more liveable communities.

The program funds projects that deliver enduring economic and social outcomes — especially those that increase access to inclusive sport and recreation, create jobs, and strengthen community resilience.

The Centre of Excellence was one of just a handful of projects selected nationally in the program’s first round, recognising its high public value, long-term impact, and region-wide benefits.

Why This Matters

This funding unlocks the ability to:

• Commence pre-construction and early works
• Procure specialised, world-class gymnastics equipment
• Ensure our build meets the highest standards in accessibility, sustainability, and design excellence

Combined with NSW Government support, the Thriving Suburbs grant secures over half of our total project cost — a huge milestone in our fundraising journey.

CEO Comment

“This is a game-changing investment in the future of gymnastics and community sport on the Northern Beaches,” said David Krantz, CEO of Manly Warringah Gymnastics Club.

“We’re incredibly grateful to the Australian Government for recognising the value this facility will bring — not just to athletes, but to families, schools, and community groups right across the region. This support brings us one step closer to making our dream a reality.”

A Win for the Whole Region

This contribution recognises the importance of our Centre of Excellence not just as a sporting facility, but as a multi-purpose community asset — supporting:

• Elite athlete development in gymnastics, trampoline, and aerial sports
• Inclusive programs for people of all ages and abilities
• Community health, education, and active living initiatives

With over 300,000 annual visits projected, this will be one of the most heavily used community sport facilities on the Northern Beaches.

We’re deeply grateful to the Australian Government for their support — and to our community, partners, and members who continue to champion this once-in-a-generation project.

More exciting progress to come — stay tuned.

Milestone: $5.15 Million Secured from NSW Government for Centre of Excellence

We are proud to share a major funding milestone in the development of the Manly Warringah Gymnastics Centre of Excellence — the award of $5.15 million from the NSW Government as part of its Centre of Excellence Program.

This investment represents a critical vote of confidence in both our club and our community. It recognises the transformative potential of the Centre of Excellence to deliver long-term sporting, economic, and social benefits across the Northern Beaches and beyond.

About the Centre of Excellence Program

The NSW Government’s Centre of Excellence Program supports the development of world-class training and administration facilities for high-performance sport across the state.

The program aims to strengthen pathways for athletes, promote coaching excellence, and foster greater community access to elite-level facilities.

Manly Warringah Gymnastics Club was one of just eight recipients across NSW in the 2022–23 round, with our project recognised for its multi-sport integration, inclusive programming, and strong partnerships with Gymnastics Australia, Gymnastics NSW, and the Northern Beaches Council.

Why This Funding Matters

The $5.15 million contribution provides a foundational pillar of support for our project’s delivery, enabling us to:

• Finalise detailed design and planning
• Meet national and international facility standards
• Future-proof the space for long-term athlete development and community use

It also enhances our ability to secure further support — both philanthropic and operational — as we move toward construction and beyond.

A Community-Driven Legacy

The Centre of Excellence will offer more than 3,000m² of purpose-built training space, catering to elite gymnasts, trampolinists, aerial athletes, local schools, and recreational users of all ages and abilities. With over 300,000 visits expected annually, this facility will be a key hub for the region’s physical, social, and economic wellbeing for decades to come.

We are excited to continue building momentum — and to bring you along every step of the journey.

Stay tuned for our next milestone update.