FOOTBALL Wagga have reaffirmed their desire to push for an official A-League and/or W-League fixture, and are hopeful they can follow the footsteps of the NRL by securing an agreement with a club to bring regular games to the city.
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Equex Centre hosted a W-League trial between Sydney FC and Newcastle in November, 2019, and was due to host an A-League practice match between the sides last year as part of an arrangement where men's and women's trials are alternated between Wagga and Dubbo each year.
The COVID pandemic meant it was scrapped, but Sydney FC CEO Danny Townsend and Jets counterpart Lawrie McKinna held brief talks about reviving the game when Sydney FC was considering withdrawing from the Asian Champion's League in Qatar.
NRL's Canberra Raiders will play the Newcastle Knights at Equex Centre in April, the last year of a two year deal struck by Wagga City Council, although the Raiders have an option to return for a third game in 2022.
It's a partnership Football Wagga would love to strike with an A-League/W-League club, and president Tony Dobbin said the strong response to the 2019 W-League trial will help.
A good crowd was on hand despite torrential rain throughout, with the venue also proving its ability to withstand poor conditions.
"That's always been our intention (to strike an annual agreement) with a club, and I'm sure that's Wagga City Council's intention," Dobbin said.
"It has a lot to do with A-League and W-League in how they promote the game outside the major centres, but I'm sure it's part of their thinking.
"The two clubs were astounded by the turnout for the women. They really loved it and wanted to come back, it's a matter of working out what the season looks like.
"We would welcome a pre-season or an actual match here. We've shown already there is a desire for it.
"Certainly the W-League was very happy. The game went sensationally and the ground proved its worth that despite all the downpours we could still play. What also impressed them was the attitude in the community about W-League, the schools joining in and it had a really good feel about it.
"The feedback we had is they're very happy with McDonald's Park and the facilities, the spectator facilities. We've started to ask the question (about another game) but we're one association of many."
Football's move to winter this season means ground availability with other codes is at a premium, in particular Sydney where A-League and W-League sides share grounds with NRL and Super Rugby teams.
It could mean football clubs look to utilise the better surfaces in regional centres to lessen the load.
"There are a lot of people in this area who are Sydney FC fans because they've always been the club that have worked with us, they work with us in schools and the juniors," Dobbin said.
"All of them need to grow the game with bums on seats because everyone's introduction to team sport is seeing teams play locally. If you don't expose your sport to something that's a higher standard, where they think 'that could be me or my son or daughter', all sports become dependent on what people watch on TV."
