Barbies for Socceroos fans at World Cup
By Liam FitzGibbon, 22 Oct 2009 Liam FitzGibbon is a Roar Pro
Beaches, barbecues, a tent village and even some good old Aussie rock – Socceroos fans will make themselves right at home at next year’s World Cup in South Africa.
With the Socceroos’ spot at successive World Cups assured and accommodation limited, innovative supporter group the Fanatics have rented out the 25,000-seater Kingsmead Cricket Ground in Durban to create a home away from home for Australian fans.
Tour organisers have gained approval from Durban council and say they’ve enlisted the help of the Australian and US armies to transform the ground into a tent village for up to 1,500 supporters as a base for the group stage of the tournament.
Leading Australian rock band Powderfinger are also on board and will be flown over to play exclusive shows for the fans and help create a party atmosphere at the site.
“It will be like a massive backyard barbecue,” Fanatics founder Warren Livingstone said.
“The weather in Durban at that time is the main attraction for Australians.
“It’s going to be hot in Durban and the beach is less than 1km away from our base. The Durban council have been fantastic and the plans we have for the tent village are mind blowing.”
Livingstone said Durban had been chosen for the camp – with another smaller one to be set up in Cape Town – because of concerns about safety in Johannesburg.
In June this year four British rugby fans were robbed at gun-point shortly after arriving in the city for the Lions’ Test match against the Springboks.
“Safety is definitely a concern for young Australians and that’s why we chose to stay in Cape Town and Durban,” Livingstone said.
“There is no doubt that Australians perceive Johannesburg as dangerous, but if we are planning to be smart about where and when we go to Johannesburg it we’ll be fine.”
More than 1,000 fans have already booked for the tour, Livingstone said.
Australia will learn their group opponents and match venues at the official World Cup draw in Cape Town on December 4.
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Greg Russell said | October 22nd 2009 @ 1:35pm | Report comment
If there is an annual award for innovative sports administration, Livingstone should get it for the above idea and work – brilliant!
That said, I’m not sure that those playing cricket on the ground in the months afterwards will be that enamoured of Livingstone – one would have to think that the pitch and outfield will suffer grievously. I mean, could you imagine the SCG or MCG trusts allowing a “tent village” to be erected on their grounds? The South Africans must be in desperate need of money.
whiskeymac said | October 22nd 2009 @ 1:45pm | Report comment
I concur. am suprised a cricket ground would allow BBQ’s and rock concerts on the “square’ but if aussie pitches survive the AFL then they must be confident in being able to get it back to good repair (and you’d think the council’s lawyers would stipuate that in the lease!)
mike said | October 22nd 2009 @ 6:31pm | Report comment
If you look at the plans the pitch is fenced off and protected, thereby keeping people of it. Also this is the cricket off season, so it will have a good 4 months to heal. Will be an awesome party, especially as Durban has such amazing weather at that time of the year, and the beaches are 1km away