Campbelltown MP Greg Warren hopes the decision to play NRL games at Campbelltown Sports Stadium will continue once restrictions are eased and the ban on crowds is finally lifted.
The NRL is seriously considering Campbelltown Sports Stadium as one of the venues to host fixtures for a number of clubs – including Wests Tigers, St George-Illawarra, Cronulla Sharks and Canberra Raiders – while matches continue to be played behind closed doors due to the Covid-19 outbreak.
While the stands and hills will remain empty until crowds are allowed back in to watch games, Mr Warren said it was a great opportunity for Campbelltown to showcase its premier sporting venue to the nation and the rest of the world with all games to be shown live on television.
The stadium plays host to several Wests Tigers home games each year, however that number has reduced over the past 20 years.
The A-League’s newest side, Macarthur Bulls FC, will also call the ground home when it enters the competition later this year.
“Campbelltown and the wider Macarthur region are growing at a rapid rate and to be brutally honest, three or four NRL games each year at the venue doesn’t cut the mustard,” said Mr Warren, who is also the state Labor opposition Western Sydney spokesman.
“We want more games and we deserve more games,’’ he said.
“Playing more games at Campbelltown Sports Stadium over the coming weeks and months – even if they are behind closed doors – will hopefully open the eyes of NRL heavyweights and show them why the venue deserves to host more games each year.
“If they think the stadium is great when no one is there, wait until you have 20,000-odd screaming fans filling the stands.
“Everyone knows there isn’t much that beats footy in the burbs.
“I hope once things return to normal and crowds are allowed back into venues, that Campbelltown Sports Stadium will continue to host more than a handful of NRL games each year.
“The A-League has recognised the potential of the stadium and its local supporters – let’s hope the NRL does too.”
