EXTRA GAMES AT CAMPBELLTOWN AND LEICHHARDT
Wednesday, 28 October 2009
Wests Tigers has today announced it will play more games at each of its traditional home venues in the 2010 Telstra Premiership.
CEO Stephen Humphreys said four matches will be played at Campbelltown Sports Stadium (up from three matches in 2009), four at Leichhardt Oval (up from three matches in 2009), and four at the Sydney Football Stadium/Sydney Cricket Ground (down from six matches in 2009).
Mr Humphreys said with Campbelltown Sports Stadium and Leichhardt Oval undergoing redevelopment works in the off-season, it was only reasonable to reward the various stakeholders and the local communities with the scheduling of an additional game at each venue.
A significant effort has gone into the upgrades of our great venues and it is a credit to the various parties from Federal Governments, local councils, and the community for making it a reality, Humphreys said.
Over the past four seasons, Wests Tigers have enjoyed the largest support in the Sydney region and the upgrade of our stadiums will provide members with more modern and comfortable facilities.
Mr Humphreys said the decision to play an extra home game each at Campbelltown and Leichhardt would not have been possible without the co-operation of the Sydney Cricket and Sports Ground Trust.
We had a pre-existing commitment to the Trust for 2010 and had to re-negotiate those terms, he said.
We appreciate the assistance of Trust CEO Jamie Barkley and his team to make this important move possible.
In re-negotiating the agreement, the club has re-enforced its commitment to the SCG Trust. It is very important to the on-going financial health of Wests Tigers to schedule three specific games at the Sydney Football Stadium and one at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
For the third consecutive year, Wests Tigers will play South Sydney at the Sydney Cricket Ground in what has become one of the true blockbusters on the NRL calendar.
Playing at major venues like the SFS and SCG is an aspect of our business we clearly need to retain. However we do see the benefits of scheduling more games at our traditional venues. We have listened to our members and feel with the latest change we have achieved the right balance.
Realistically, moving matches back to the traditional grounds is increasing our commercial risk but we are confident this is the right approach.
Mr Humphreys said the move to schedule extra matches at the traditional venues was a clear call to arms for fans.
The ball is now in the hands of our fans to ensure this is a successful move. We urge those fans who are not members to now Step Up and become paid Wests Tigers Members, he said.
A strong membership response will ensure the success of this move and the allocation of grounds remains the same in the future.
