NSWRL Chief Executive David Trodden, CRL Chief Executive Terry Quinn, NRL Head of Football Todd Greenberg and Tamworth Deputy Mayor Russell Webb have come together to announce Scully Park Regional Sporting Precinct, Tamworth as the venue to host the 2016 AAMI Country v City Origin clash.
NSWRL CEO David Trodden believes Scully Park Regional Sporting Precinct is a venue the KARI City Origin team will look forward to playing at next season.
“The AAMI Country v City Origin match is one of the highlights on the NSWRL calendar each year, and I’m certain the players selected will be looking forward to enjoying the atmosphere at the new Scully Park in Tamworth,” Mr Trodden said.
“The North West has produced many fantastic footballers over the years and hopefully this match will inspire the next generation of young Rugby League players to fulfil their sporting dreams.
“It’s very important to continue playing these types of elite-level fixtures in regional areas and both the Country and KARI City Origin teams will be excited about the opportunity to get out and amongst the community in the lead up to the game.”
After the sold-out success of the McDonald’s Park clash in Wagga Wagga this year, NRL Head of Football Todd Greenberg is confident Tamworth will offer the same positive experience for Rugby League fans across the North West.
“There is no doubt there has been a revival in representative football this year – and it all started with the Country v City match,” Mr Greenberg said.
“Not only was the venue at Wagga Wagga packed to capacity but the game was a wonderful advertisement for Rugby League.
“We know that the people of Tamworth are just as fanatical about their Rugby League and we expect the 2016 Country v City match to be just as successful.”
Speaking at today’s announcement, Tamworth Deputy Mayor Russell Webb believes hosting the 2016 AAMI Country v City match is something that will instill pride in the people of Tamworth.
“There’s been a lot of hard work put into the building of this venue and being chosen as the host of next year’s Country v City Origin match is something we should all be proud of,” Mr Webb said.
“We are very grateful for the hard work that Wests Leagues, Tamworth Regional Council and members of our community have put into the new precinct and I’m excited for the people of Tamworth to show off their new facility on such a large scale.
“Hopefully this is just the beginning of many exciting things to come.”
Visiting the $2.8 million redevelopment of Scully Park No. 2 before its official public opening on Saturday 6th June, Quinn believes the new Scully Park is the perfect venue to host next year’s fixture.
“We are really excited to see Tamworth and the Scully Park Regional Sporting Precinct host the 2016 AAMI Country v City clash,” Mr Quinn said.
“It’s great to see the finalisation of this development and the people of Tamworth can expect to see a state-of-the-art facility that is perfect for hosting elite level representative Rugby League matches and perfect for television broadcasters and attendees of the Country v City Origin match.”
The new Scully Park Regional Sporting Precinct features a new 700-seat covered grandstand comprising of two change rooms, ice baths, showers, toilets, medical and referees’ rooms, bar and kiosk facilities, five corporate suites, broadcast and media boxes and disabled seating capabilities.
The venue will become the premier space for the North West for use by the local community, community organisations and local sporting groups.
