Baranduda Fields Regional Soccer Hub

Anchoring the largest regional sporting precinct between Sydney and Melbourne

20023 Baranduda Fields Regional Soccer Hub c Victor Vieaux 017

20023 Baranduda Fields Regional Soccer Hub c Victor Vieaux 018

1 / 3

A magnet for connecting communities through sport

Located on the Victoria-New South Wales border in Wodonga, the Baranduda Fields Sporting Complex transforms 100 hectares of greenfield land into a major regional sporting complex. At its heart is the Baranduda Fields Regional Soccer Hub – a two-storey pavilion featuring a 700-seat dual-aspect grandstand positioned between two NPL-standard turf soccer pitches.

Jasmax was engaged by the City of Wodonga in 2021 to update the site masterplan and design the soccer hub. The facility responds to the region’s rapid growth in soccer participation, particularly among women and girls, while addressing capacity constraints at existing venues. The inclusive design seeks to remove systemic cultural and programmatic barriers while supporting increased participation across all demographics.

The wider sporting complex includes a full-size AFL/cricket oval and two netball courts, with shared change facilities. All playing fields are floodlit and irrigated for premium day-night training and competition, responding to a growing need for extended operating hours and longer seasons. On-site carparking and pedestrian pathways link amenities, supported by stormwater management.

A premium experience for players, spectators and the wider community

The grandstand provides elevated views over both soccer pitches, connecting to a welcoming Community Room on the pavilion’s upper level. This space – the heart of the facility – includes a bar and commercial kitchen, providing a social destination where people can share a meal or drink. As players and supporters often travel long distances, this gathering place is integral to building the relationships and connections vital to community sport.

The pavilion’s upper level also includes VIP, coach and media boxes, an office and meeting rooms, with gender-neutral change facilities, first aid and umpire spaces at ground level.

Community-driven planning and engagement

The development was shaped by extensive consultation with sporting associations, community groups and a dedicated stakeholder committee representing Australian Rules football, netball, athletics, rugby league and soccer, ensuring alignment with genuine regional needs, best practice sporting infrastructure standards and budget.

Using locally available materials and tradecraft was a key focus for the project, with a natural material palette of brick and native blackbutt timber cladding selected for cost-effectiveness, low maintenance and graceful ageing. The distinctive irregular interplay of materials on the façade evokes the Victorian High-Country landscape reflected in the Murray River, connecting the facility to its immediate environment.

The masterplan carefully balances community access with protection of cultural heritage and local biodiversity, including measures to preserve the endangered Sloane’s Froglet and its wetland habitat. During design, the facility was relocated to protect both the froglet’s wetland habitat and a significant Aboriginal scar tree, embedding ecological stewardship and cultural respect within the sporting values of the community.

Now a key venue for the Albury Wodonga Football Association, Baranduda Fields serves remote and isolated communities across the region, providing the high-quality sporting infrastructure essential for growing participation and community connection.