SHOWING full support for the growth of Wagga Rugby League (WRL), Wagga City Council yesterday announced a contribution of $30,000 will go towards hosting the NRL trial game at Equex Centre on February 18.
Bolstering the long-awaited event, council’s move to provide sponsorship has provided WRL with a backbone to prosper beyond the Canterbury Bulldogs veersus Canberra Raiders fixture this month.
Speaking yesterday, WRL president Darryl Kelly said he was relieved to receive the support which could save the association from a major funding shortage.
“We’re ecstatic about it,” he said yesterday.
“We made the application to council because the cost of running an event like this is in the order of $70,000 to $80,000.
“If it was a bad night or it turns miserably cold and the crowd numbers are low, it could have been a major drag and we would have been broke.
“All the profits will go back into rugby league facilities in Wagga, so council wins either way.”
The decision to provide the sponsorship was made at a council meeting on Monday night and received unanimous support.
WCC spokesperson Luke Grealy said council considered the proposal on the basis of a criteria – that the event attracts significant visitors and economic benefits to Wagga, state and national publicity and have a good benefit for the community.
Grealy said council was excited to be involved and was looking forward to supporting WRL continued development.
“We’re working with GWS (Greater Western Sydney) and the AFL so it only makes sense to support Wagga Rugby League and what they’re doing,” he said.
Kelly admitted the funding had released a weight off the back of WRL and would allow the city to attract high quality rugby league events in the future.
“It certainly gives us comfort in going forward now that we have a major sponsor to cover any unforeseen costs,” Kelly said.
“This is substantial funding and it means that any profits go back into rugby league to improve our assets.
“Obviously (Equex Park) is our main ground but there’s Harris Park as well which has other needs.
“We’re in a position now to upgrade the lighting and the major facilities, toilet blocks and extend the hill (at Equex).
“That’s what it’s all about, bringing us up to a higher standard so we can attract these games consistently and if not higher levels.”
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