Barely 12 months ago Wests Tigers threatened to walk away from Campbelltown, saying its stadium wasn’t up to scratch for NRL games.
Last night, Mayor Darcy Lound and Shaun Mielekamp, the Wests Tigers Interim CEO, shook hands (pictured above) on a deal that will see the NRL club play most of its games out of Campbelltown for the next 15 years.
Mayor Lound has played a key role in securing the Wests Tigers for the long haul.
He was mayor last year when the Tigers threatened to quit Campbelltown, but he believed they could be turned around so he stayed in the fight.
Last night he was vindicated when a full council meeting rubber stamped the agreement with the club.
This morning the South West Voice asked Mayor Lound how he was able to turn thing around and secure the Wests Tigers to a long term deal.
“The proposed stadium upgrade, which will improve facilities and deliver more corporate spaces was a critical factor,’’ he said.
“There’s no doubt that the junior pathways set up here, which I believe are almost as big as Penrith, also played a part in reaching this agreement.
“And over the past 12 months or so we have managed to form a really great relationship with the club.
“This long-term commitment is about more than game day. It will help support local businesses, create new opportunities for young people, and strengthen community pride across Campbelltown,’’ Mayor Lound said.
Under the agreement, the Wests Tigers would bring more elite rugby league to Campbelltown through additional NRL and NRLW home games, a dedicated annual Campbelltown Round, and expanded community programs, youth pathways and grassroots initiatives across the city.
During the 2027 season, the club will play five NRL Premiership home games and two NRLW Premiership home games.
There will be no games in Campbelltown in 2028 because that’s when upgrade work will take place at the stadium.
From the 2029 season the Wests Tigers will play at least seven NRL Premiership home games at Campbelltown Stadium and two NRLW Premiership home games.