The government has confirmed an $8m grant to help towards funding of Football NSW's Riverstone project in western Sydney.

The state body believe the Socceroos and A-League teams can benefit from this state of the art training complex, due to be completed in late 2012 to early 2013.

The Riverstone complex is set to have nine purpose built football pitches expanded to potentially 15 in years to come and a boutique stadium for 3000 fans.

Other features include an indoor swimming complex, gym, admin offices, licenced club, hotel accommodation and a private football college. 

The funding will come from the government grant and sale of the state body's current base at Valentine Park. 

An hour up the F3 freeway and another equally impressive facility has been backed by the federal government. 

A $10m grant has been confirmed for Mariners at Tuggerah Centre of Excellence. Two full-size grounds and a 3000 seater grandstand are the main attractions of that project. It will feature all weather sports courts, five a side grounds, pool, gym, and sports-medicine facilities.

Work is expected to commence in early 2011 and is expected to be complete by early 2013 for the Mariners project. 

Both the NSW and Mariners projects are absolutely vital for the future of the game as they both provide a revenue stream going forward.

And football owning its own training facilities is sorely lacking right now as we seek to improve professionalism in the sport.

Football NSW Project Manager Duncan Sharpe told au.fourfourtwo.com that by owning such a facility, the commercial benefits flowing back to the game could be significant.

"There is no limit to who will use the new site," he said. "Of course the main focus will be the development of football."

Pictures courtesy of Football New South Wales