Eric Tweedale Stadium

Nestled in a green park within Cumberland City Council, Western Sydney, Eric Tweedale Stadium—named after a "living legend" of Australian rugby—is a newly built grandstand for 750 spectators.

It features stadium seating, change rooms, offices and amenities, as well as a community function room, commercial kitchen, and a covered viewing deck.

The construction was part of the redevelopment of Granville Park, home to the Two Blues Rugby Union Club, and welcomes thousands of sports fans during both rugby league and union seasons. The timber structure, detailed and designed by Northrop Consulting Engineers and Rubner, forms part of the top floor of the grandstand and cantilevers 8 metres above the seating. With a footprint of approximately 1,000 sqm, the structure was segmented for transport in containers, featuring concealed, factory-assembled connections to ensure a refined aesthetic and a rapid installation.

The Eric Tweedale Stadium in Cumberland City is sports architecture and the first mass-timber grandstand structure in Australia. Designed by ARCH (formerly DWP Suters) and delivered by Belmadar, the stadium showcases the strength, sustainability, and aesthetic appeal of engineered timber.

A showpiece for mass timber in Australia, the stadium’s design celebrates sustainability and innovation. Theca Timber supplied glue-laminated timber (GLT) beams and Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) for the striking long-span roof, which features an impressive 9.5m cantilever. This structural achievement not only enhances the stadium’s architectural presence but also adds to the stadium’s warm appeal.

The use of engineered timber was pivotal in achieving a reduced carbon footprint, efficient construction and a dynamic yet inviting atmosphere, thanks to the natural beauty of timber.