Chaired by Les Murray, the meeting at NSW Parliament today featured a keynote presentation by former Socceroo Craig Foster, Southern Expansion head of football.  

Mr Shen Yuxing, chairman of the Chinese property conglomerate JiaYuan Group which is financially supporting the bid, also attended.

Mr Foster outlined how the group would work closely with Football South Coast  and the St George and Sutherland Associations to establish a community-focused professional football club.

Foster’s main points included:

  • Academy for juniors at no cost;
  • Direct pathway to A-League and W-League;
  • Talent-identification programs for players and coaches;
  • Premium marquee male and female players;
  • Access to state-of-the art training facilities;
  • Purpose-built stadium and potential to upgrade WIN Stadium.

“From our grassroots supporters across the southern region, to members of parliament and local mayors and councillors, it’s fantastic to see that then enthusiasm and support for Southern Expansion is gathering momentum right across the community,” Foster said.

Murray added:

“We appreciated the opportunity to brief our political decision-makers on how a new professional football club will enrich the whole community and will be working hard in collaboration with our association partners to bring A-League and W-League teams to the southern region.”

Southern Expansion said it was committed to delivering a new professional football club for the southern region, covering the St George, Sutherland and the South Coast football communities.