Test for west Sydney push
Test for west Sydney push
Michael Cowley, Sydney | February 25, 2009
http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/news/test-for-west-sydney-push/2009/02/24/1235237650953.html
THE push from the AFL into western Sydney will confront reality with confirmation the Swans and Western Bulldogs will meet in a NAB Challenge match at Rouse Hill on March 7.
With the AFL still determined to have a team from Sydney's west in the elite competition for the 2012 season, the trial match will be the latest promotion for the game in the region.
AFL NSW general manager Dale Holmes confirmed Sydney's opponent yesterday and that the match will be played under lights at the $7 million, purpose-built Bruce Purser Reserve.
He also confirmed that the AFL's $30 million, 10,000-seat facility at Blacktown was scheduled to open in June and would host the national under-16 championships the following month.
"The objective for us is to build facilities in western Sydney in Rouse Hill and Blacktown and that was all about enabling us to bring elite level games into the local community, such that we could build our profile and connect with the local community on many levels," Holmes said.
"We not only want games there but also things like training nights and community events.
"We want local kids to feel that they can go down to the local facility and get to see the stars … and this is our first opportunity to execute that part of the strategy.
The Rouse Hill ground will have a spectator capacity of between 3000 and 3500 for the NAB Challenge match, and Holmes said the focus would be on encouraging nearby residents to watch the game.
"What we've endeavoured to do is to make sure the local community can get access to the game, so we're doing initiatives with schools and local clubs and local people that are involved through the Swans, and thereafter it will be for public access," he said.
"We want to leave a legacy from this game so it's about building a connection with the local schools and helping our local clubs develop further and building a network of people, whether it be in business or local councils, that we can leave a legacy, such that the people get more involved in our game going forward.
"Having this match out there makes it more tangible. It's convenient and accessible and affordable to the people. Those three things are really important. Taking the game to the people and creating facilities in local communities where people can feel as if the game is now reaching into their area is important, symbolically.
"Hopefully that fuels their interest in the game and we want to have an ongoing connection with those people who come along."