Essendon Upgrades Windy Hill, Boosts Community Sports Programs

Essendon Football Club is continuing community consultation for the redevelopment of the Windy Hill precinct, which includes plans for new recreational space and facilities for local cricket and bowls clubs.

Windy Hill Precinct Redevelopment

The ongoing consultation process at Windy Hill focuses on delivering additional recreational space alongside dedicated facilities for cricket and bowls clubs. This infrastructure work directly supports community sports leagues that rely on accessible venues for training and matches. Residents and clubs can review plans through the club’s established consultation channels to understand how the precinct upgrades will integrate with existing grounds.

School Academies and Training Infrastructure

Essendon Keilor College runs an elite AFL football academy aligned with the Essendon Football Club. The program features weekly sessions for Years 7-9, an intensive program for Year 10, and a VET Sport and Recreation qualification for Years 11-12. Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School maintains teams in the Associated Grammar Schools of Victoria competition. Glenroy College operates a school-embedded AFL Academy that integrates football coaching into the school timetable. These academy structures use on-site facilities to deliver structured pathways that feed directly into local community leagues.

Athletics Infrastructure at Moonee Valley

Athletics Essendon, founded in 1897 and based at the Moonee Valley Athletics Centre, provides track and field and cross country opportunities for athletes aged 12 and over. The centre hosts competitions that qualify participants for state and national events, giving community-level athletes access to purpose-built infrastructure. Local leagues draw on this venue for training sessions and development meets throughout the year.

These venues and programs together form the core infrastructure that sustains community sports leagues. The combination of club-led redevelopment at Windy Hill and academy facilities at Essendon Keilor College, Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School, Glenroy College and the Moonee Valley Athletics Centre creates consistent access to training and competition spaces. Consultation on the Windy Hill plans remains open for further community input, allowing stakeholders to shape how the new recreational areas will serve local clubs and leagues.