ALBURY will stage its first National Rugby League match for competition points on Easter Saturday after nine days of frenetic talks between Manly Warringah and Albury Council.
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The Sea Eagles-Canberra Raiders round 5 clash was locked in for Lavington Oval yesterday after Albury pounced on Dubbo’s inability to secure the game.
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The possibility of the match coming to Albury was revealed by The Border Mail late last week and follows an A-League soccer match for premiership points at Lavington a year ago.
It is also the first time Manly Warringah has played a match for points in a regional centre.
The match has been underwritten to the tune of $180,000 in a joint venture between the council, Albury Thunder and the Commercial Club.
A major stumbling block to the match going ahead was whether the lighting was of a suitable standard for broadcaster Fox Sports.
But additional lighting will be brought in for the match, which will kick off at 5.30pm and be played on the final weekend of daylight saving.
Costs have been kept to a minimum with no NSW Cup or under-20s curtain-raisers to be played.
Lavington Oval has previously hosted NRL trials and the City-Country origin fixture in 2011, but the Sea Eagles-Raiders clash will be one of the biggest sporting events in the city’s history behind the 1992 World Cup cricket match.
Manly Warringah chief executive Joe Kelly said the Sea Eagles were keen to build their brand in the bush with the Albury game.
“I am sure seeing NRL stars in action in the country will have a lasting impact, particularly on the next generation of rugby league supporters,” he said.
“We have been working tirelessly with representatives from the Albury community, the NRL and Fox Sports over recent weeks to make this happen, so to announce that over Easter, the Sea Eagles and Raiders will be in Albury playing for NRL competition points is significant for us in our continued efforts to grow this great game in regional areas.”
Mr Kelly said the club promised to engage with Albury in the lead-up to the match and during the Easter weekend.
Players are expected to be flown to Albury to help with promotions and boost ticket sales.
Ticket details will be released soon and crowd estimates for the match have ranged between 10,000 and 15,000.
Albury mayor Kevin Mack said it was a major coup securing an NRL game for points so soon after the A-League.
“The value of national brand recognition, live broadcasting and the city’s reputation as one of the nation’s premier regional sporting hosts cannot be understated,” he said.
“We are thrilled for our rugby league fraternity particularly the Albury Thunder, which has worked tirelessly to raise the profile of league.”