AFL Acquires Historic Waverley Park from Hawthorn

Waverley Park, a venue previously owned by the Hawthorn Football Club, has been officially acquired by the Australian Football League (AFL).

The sale, which commenced in February following Hawthorn’s preparations to relocate to their new Kennedy Community Centre in Dingley, ensures the significant asset remains within the Australian football community.

Expressing satisfaction on the outcome, Hawthorn’s chief operating officer, Jacob Attwood, said: “A lot of work has been done to ensure the best possible outcome for both the club and the future of Waverley Park.”

“With the facility changing hands to the AFL, we are confident that its historical significance of Waverley Park will be preserved,” Jacob Attwood.

For the AFL, the acquisition of Waverley Park is a strategic re-engagement with a venue that holds importance in the league’s history, having hosted 732 VFL/AFL matches, including the 1991 Grand Final.

AFL CEO, Andrew Dillon indicated the league’s plans to leverage the facility for talent pathways, community football, and umpire development programs.

Dillon also highlighted the AFL’s urgent need for additional greenspace to support ambitious participation growth targets, including aiming for one million participants nationwide.

While the sale price remains undisclosed, reports suggest it was a considerable sum for the Hawks, who had acquired the site for a nominal fee in 2004.

This transaction represents an important development for both the Hawthorn Football Club and the AFL.

For Hawthorn, the sale of their long-standing training and administration base provides a financial momentum for their transition to the new Kennedy Community Centre later this year.

The Kennedy Community Centre, a $100 million facility, has been funded by a combination of Hawthorn’s own investment (over $70 million), federal and state government contributions ($15 million each), and additional funding from Kingston City Council and the AFL.

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