$100m deal keeps Tigers at Leichhardt and Campbelltown
Jasper Bruce and Scott Bailey |
Wests Tigers have committed to playing home games at Leichhardt Oval and Campbelltown Sports Stadium for at least the next 15 years after securing $100 million in government funding.
The bombshell concludes months of tug-of-war between government officials and Tigers chief executive Shane Richardson, who had threatened to withdraw the club from the suburban venues unless funding could be secured for upgrades.
It was a significant threat from Richardson, the man in charge of South Sydney when the Rabbitohs moved out of their inner-city heartland for a better financial deal at Accor Stadium.
But at halftime of the Tigers’ match against North Queensland on Sunday, Richardson confirmed both grounds were part of the Tigers’ long-term plans.
The announcement was met with enthusiastic cheers from a packed Leichhardt Oval.
“Super happy for the players, the fans, both here and Campbelltown,” said coach Benji Marshall after a loss that looks to have ended the Tigers’ finals hopes.
“I think it’s important for us to know where our future lies, especially for our fans. It’s a credit to Richo.”
The agreements are expected to be finalised by the club as soon as Monday, with commercial terms still being finalised.
Wests Tigers have secured $50 million in upgrades to each venue, with local, state and federal governments all chipping in for the Leichhardt works. The breakdown of funding on the Campbelltown upgrades is expected to be confirmed soon.
The club has yet to confirm how many games will be played at each venue per season, and intends to play NRLW fixtures at both grounds as part of the agreement.
Consider the Campbelltown area’s vast and blooming junior talent pool, the decision to keep playing there for the long-term looms as particularly pivotal for the Tigers.
Leichhardt Oval, meanwhile, has been the Tigers’ spiritual home since before their merger with Western Suburbs to form Wests Tigers in 2000.
“We face a unique set of challenges as a joint-venture club and it was vitally important to ensure this strategy supported the long-term financial sustainability of the Wests Tigers, while maintaining a strong connection to the communities we represent,” Richardson said.
“We set a very clear vision for the club, and this strategy is a significant part of that.
“It lays the platform for an exciting period for our members and supporters and we look forward to sharing more developments on these projects as they are finalised.”
AAP
