A new state-of-the-art headquarters at Thebarton Oval is set to revolutionise Adelaide’s training and recovery once complete, according to High Performance Manager Darren Burgess.

Construction has officially begun on Adelaide’s training, administration and community headquarters at Thebarton Oval, with the first soil officially being turned on the $100 million project in February.

Speaking to AFC Media, Burgess said the world-class facilities were designed with high performance front-of-mind. 

“Certainly the facilities at Thebarton will be world class from a recovery point-of-view, which we don’t currently have at West Lakes,” Burgess said.

“The saunas, the recovery pool, the potential to add in cryotherapy, things like that, will mean that we can provide facilities so the players can recover far better from games and training.

“The design of the space will allow for players to flow seamlessly between coaching, medical, strength and conditioning, sports science and analysis staff… The ability to have all of that in one space is fantastic for the players. 

“Having incredible locker space, recovery zones, training literally outside from the gym - so you can go seamlessly from training to the gym - you’d be surprised how much of an impact that does have on players.”

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Burgess explains how Thebarton facility will boost high performance

High Performance Manager Darren Burgess explains which features at our new Thebby HQ will benefit the playing group from a fitness and recovery perspective.

Once complete, players, coaches, staff, members and supporters will have access to a 150m long, two-storey building that wraps around Thebarton Oval and it will be the best of its kind in the country.

Burgess said the new facilities at Thebarton would allow players to train in different conditions and be better equipped for game days.

“Within the recovery area, the saunas are built in and they’re able to go at a higher temperature than what the saunas currently can go to here at West Lakes,” Burgess said.

“We (will) have a recovery pool next to a swimming pool, which is great for contrast hot and cold environments.

"The ability to even control climate in the off-legs area, so players can train at heat, potentially at altitude, will allow an extra training stimulus for players, which will be great.

“From a sports science point-of-view, (we’ll have) the ability to do some sprint testing indoors because the indoor area will be bigger and longer than what we currently have.”

The new sports precinct will provide a permanent match day home for Adelaide’s successful AFLW team, as well as a café and members lounge for all-day casual dining with indoor and outdoor seating to watch the Crows’ men’s and women’s players train.

There will also be a dedicated function centre and interactive museum allowing fans to immerse themselves in the Club’s history.

“The players are speaking about Thebarton already, it will have a major impact on attracting new talent, but also returning South Australians playing at other clubs,” Burgess said.

“I think you can achieve success without a world-class facility, but it makes it a lot easier when the facility is at the level that we’re going to have at Thebarton.

“The connection between upstairs and downstairs within the new facility will be seamless. 

“The ability for us all to eat in the same space, to communicate, to bump into each other more regularly, as well as the AFL, SANFL and AFLW staff to all have the same office space can only increase the connectivity.”