- Published:
- Friday 24 November 2023
Football fans for generations to come will honour Geelong Football Club premiership captain and games record holder Joel Selwood at Kardinia Park, with the new grandstand to be named in his honour thanks to the Allan Labor Government.
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos announced the naming of the Joel Selwood Stand after the retired champion, part of the Labor Government’s Stage 5 Redevelopment of Kardinia Park.
Appointed captain at just age 23, Selwood played a club record 355-games for the Cats and won four AFL premierships in a glittering 15-year career between 2007 and 2022.
Selwood has become synonymous with Kardinia Park and will continue to be for decades to come as fans from across the region and Victoria enjoy the game of footy at this iconic venue.
Kardinia Park Stadium Trust worked with stakeholders from across the community and Geelong Football Club, while working closely with Geographic Names Victoria. Construction of the redevelopment is progressing and once complete, will secure the venue’s status as Australia’s best regional stadium and complete the grounds transformation.
Works include a new grandstand boosting the overall stadium capacity to 40,000 fans, a new northern entry plaza, sports museum, indoor cricket hub, function rooms and technology upgrades.
These upgrades will see patrons enjoy world-class facilities all year round with the venue set to host a packed schedule of sport and entertainment events, which makes Kardinia Park so important to Geelong and the entire region.
Quote attributable to Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos
“The Joel Selwood Stand is a fitting honour for the Geelong Cats champion, whose contributions on and off the field have brought so much pride and joy to this region.”
Quote attributable to Member for South Barwon Darren Cheeseman
“Joel Selwood has been a giant of the Geelong Football Club and a hugely respected person within the Geelong community, it’s a well-deserved honour for such a fine person.”
Quote attributable to Member for Geelong Christine Couzens
“The Joel Selwood Stand will be a highlight of the Kardinia Park Stage 5 redevelopment, completing a 20-year vision that will turn the historic venue into an even better place for watching sport and major events.”
Quote attributable to Member for Lara Ella George
“It’s so exciting to look forward to soon welcoming visitors from across Australia and around the world to a fully redeveloped Kardinia Park with a packed calendar of events, helping businesses and boosting the entire Geelong region.”
Quote attributable to Member for Bellarine Alison Marchant
“Kardinia Park has always been such a special place for Geelong and upon completion of the redevelopment it will be an even better meeting place for the region.”
Quote attributable to Kardinia Park Stadium Trust Chief Executive Officer Gerard Griffin
“As the Stage 5 redevelopment approaches conclusion, the names announced today formalise the 23-year redevelopment of the stadium. We look forward to the future events we will be able to host using this multi-purpose venue managed on behalf of and for the regional community of Victoria.”
Quote attributable to Joel Selwood
“I lived a childhood dream, playing for the Geelong Football Club for 16 years, in front of a packed Kardinia Park. Arriving to work each day at the stadium provided lifetime memories that will forever remain close to my heart.”
“I’m incredibly honoured to have this stand named after me, and hope it brings our community significant joy in the coming years.”