DIEHARD
25-11-05, 06:23 PM
It is Townsville's turn.
The Australian Rugby League must bring one of next year's Tri-Nations series matches to Dairy Farmers Stadium.
While the region is regularly talked about as a possible candidate for a major rugby league match we always seems to miss out.
Through their support of the Cowboys, North Queensland rugby league fans have shown they are the equal of any sports fans in the country. And they deserve the opportunity to see a fully fledged Test match in their own back yard.
With three Tri-Series games scheduled for Australia and three for New Zealand, the logical decision would be to play one game in Brisbane, one in Newcastle, one in Townsville and the final in Sydney.
Already it has been suggested by ARL chief executive Geoff Carr that Melbourne will host one match.
Melbourne already is hosting a State of Origin match next year and it is simply ridiculous to give them a Test match as well at the expense of Townsville or Newcastle, or both.
Dairy Farmers Stadium's capacity will be about 25,000 after an off-season upgrade and there is no doubt it would be filled for a Test match.
The region's support of a wide range of international and national sporting events over the past few years is added proof -- if any were needed -- that this region wholeheartedly gets behind its sport.
North Queensland rugby league supporters would have every right to feel upset with the game's administrators if they were overlooked this time.
Source: Townsville Bulletin
The Australian Rugby League must bring one of next year's Tri-Nations series matches to Dairy Farmers Stadium.
While the region is regularly talked about as a possible candidate for a major rugby league match we always seems to miss out.
Through their support of the Cowboys, North Queensland rugby league fans have shown they are the equal of any sports fans in the country. And they deserve the opportunity to see a fully fledged Test match in their own back yard.
With three Tri-Series games scheduled for Australia and three for New Zealand, the logical decision would be to play one game in Brisbane, one in Newcastle, one in Townsville and the final in Sydney.
Already it has been suggested by ARL chief executive Geoff Carr that Melbourne will host one match.
Melbourne already is hosting a State of Origin match next year and it is simply ridiculous to give them a Test match as well at the expense of Townsville or Newcastle, or both.
Dairy Farmers Stadium's capacity will be about 25,000 after an off-season upgrade and there is no doubt it would be filled for a Test match.
The region's support of a wide range of international and national sporting events over the past few years is added proof -- if any were needed -- that this region wholeheartedly gets behind its sport.
North Queensland rugby league supporters would have every right to feel upset with the game's administrators if they were overlooked this time.
Source: Townsville Bulletin