I am pretty delighted that our friends at @WeLoveLeague have contributed this blog!
If you’re in a regional rugby league centre, you have a lot to look forward to this weekend with three big games to be played across three venues.
Darwin’s TIO Stadium on Saturday night host’s the Gold Coast Titans home match against the Penrith Panthers. Previously Richardson Park was used in 1991 for the Balmain Tigers and Penrith Panthers where the eventual 1991 Premiers won 14-0. The following year Penrith took a home game up north and won 24-20 over South Sydney. The last time Richardson park hosted a premiership game was in 1995 when Western Suburbs disposed of Sydney City 44-16.
Last year the Sydney Roosters were demolished by North Queensland Cowboys 50-12 at TIO Stadium. TIO Stadium is predominantly used for Australian Football League matches and has hosted test cricket during the Australian winter. Kickoff at TIO Stadium will be 7pm Central Australian time.
Great news for Mackay on Sunday with Canterbury Bulldogs taking on the Newcastle Knights. The Bulldogs sold out last year’s clash at Virgin Australia Stadium with Ben Barba’s five star performance in their 20-4 win over Melbourne Storm. Barba will be looking for another grand performance as he pushes for Queensland Origin selection this Sunday from 3pm.
On Sunday night, South Sydney continues their annual trek to NIB Stadium in Perth where they face in form New Zealand Warriors. With a push continuing for the re-introduction of a Western Australian side into the national competition, average crowds for games in Perth have been 15,000 with a game last year at Paterson’s Stadium attracting 20,000 between the Sea Eagles and Warriors. Kickoff at NIB Stadium is at 4:30pm Western Australian time.
Already this year Mudgee in NSW’s Central West and in tropical north Queensland city of Cairns. Coffs Harbour hosted the NSW City vs NSW Country game but came under scrutiny over ticketing prices.
The regional fans have embraced the game by turning up in numbers which clubs would struggle to attract at their home venues. It would be great if the NRL could force clubs to play at least one Premiership game in a regional area to help promote the game, whilst taking the battle up to AFL in non-rugby league states. Imagine the boost the Tasmanian Rugby League would get if they were to host a game in Hobart? And for the forgotten city of Adelaide to host a yearly NRL clash?
Would you support your team moving one of their games to a regional venue on an annual basis for the good of the game?
Check out more here: http://www.weloveleague.com/
Love,
@LadiesWhoLeague
From someone who lived in Darwin for 2 and a half years I believe this is a great move by the NRL. I was at the Sydney Roosters vs North Queensland Cowboys match last year and a 10,000+ crowd is a pretty good turnout by Darwin standards. Even though I no longer live up in the Top End I hope the NRL continues to broaden their horizons with matches like these around the country.
ReplyDeleteWe hope so too Ben!
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