The NAB AFLW Sydney Derby IV has been honoured as Event of the Year at the 2025 NSW Sports Awards.
This year’s derby at Henson Park welcomed a crowd of over 7,000 people to record a new attendance record for AFLW at the venue as the GWS GIANTS’ stunned the Sydney Swans with a seven-point victory during a tense and tight clash.
The derby coincided with the official Stage 1 opening of the multi-million dollar redevelopment of Henson Park, designed to elevate the game day experience for players, officials and fans at the iconic Inner West ground.
Stage 1 ushered in purpose-built changerooms, a gym, community spaces and an extension of the grandstand. Stage 2 – due to be ready ahead of the 2026 community football season – will include broadcast facilities, coaches boxes, a canteen and new public amenities.
On completion of the two-stage build, Henson Park will be considered one of the country’s gold-standard AFLW and community football venues located in the heart of Sydney’s inner suburbs.
The AFL has managed the construction of the facility upgrades and contributed $6.5 million to the project – the game’s single biggest investment into community infrastructure in New South Wales.
The redevelopment has also been funded by the Federal Government, Inner West Council and the New South Wales Government.
The AFL’s investment into the upgrade of Henson Park reinforces the AFL’s commitment to grow Australian football in New South Wales and ensures not only an elite venue for AFLW matches, but for community football too.
The AFL was proud for members of the wider footy community in NSW to also be nominated at the NSW Sports Awards, including umpire Michael Barlow as Official of the Year, Isaac Heeney as Athlete of the Year, and Tom Harley as Administrator of the Year for his previous tenure and service to the Sydney Swans.