Rugby Australia chief executive Raelene Castle is willing to join forces with football to drive a redevelopment of the ageing Ballymore Stadium.
The push is on for a new boutique rectangular venue in Brisbane as part of Football Federation Australia’s bid to host the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
It could tie in nicely with a much-needed facelift for Ballymore, the traditional home of Queensland rugby, which has fallen into disrepair.
Old, decaying and a financial drain on the Queensland Rugby Union, the 18,000-seat Ballymore is no longer fit to host professional sport – and aside from Suncorp Stadium, there is no other rectangular venue in Brisbane that is.
A packed Perry Park crowd at Brisbane Roar’s W-League semi-final on Sunday further underlined the city’s glaring need for a mid-range option.
An upgraded Ballymore – where the Roar train – could host future W-League fixtures as well as an A-League expansion franchise, Super Rugby, NRC, Super W and other events.
Some of the Roar’s lower-drawing men’s matches could also be moved there from Suncorp.
Castle said she was open to the idea of an alliance with football, which would present a much stronger case for funding to the Queensland government than one sport going it alone.
She said leaving Ballymore, one of the most prized assets in Australian rugby, in its present condition was “not an option”.
“It’s incredibly important to rugby. It needs some love and attention,” Castle told AAP.
“We’ll certainly be talking about that to the government.
“There’s some really successful models that I’ve seen where codes come together and share a facility.
“That means we end up with a much better outcome for everyone involved – the government feel more comfortable, both (sports) end up with a world-class facility.
“Those are definitely the conversations we should be having.”
Suncorp, at 52,500 seats, is probably oversized for most Women’s World Cup games aside from those involving the Matildas.
But if it were included in the bid, nowhere else in Brisbane is suitable to house the NRL, State of Origin or Super Rugby during the June-July tournament.
A smaller alternative would also be perfect for the Women’s Rugby World Cup, which Rugby Australia is pitching to host in 2021.
Panopticon
Guest
Unbelievable - who says that?
Ex force fan
Guest
Half truths TWAS. Those specific words in that specific clause was all the ARU/RA cunning idea. If you draft the contract you only prepare the first draft, all clauses are then up for negotiation and the ARU made sure they have a clause to axe the Force.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
So it definitely wasn't wording drafted by Rugby WA's lawyers?
piru
Roar Rookie
Yes I'm sure they were keen not to exist
jimbo81
Guest
Are you serious? Herston is 3.6KM from Teneriffe CityCat stop. Buses run to and from continuously. Easy as. Also - there's a strong history of rugby club buses to and from Ballymore. If they implemented a better carpark entry and exit, you could even drive to and from the game with relative easy (have three gates, one entry, with two car exits that do not involve the main street. Also - Ballymore has three ovals - not two - and the two act as carparks.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Actually wasn't it Rugby WA that proposed the very fine print that brought themselves undone?
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
All 1 sport.
Bakkies
Guest
'Why would anyone want to invest in a venue with no useful public transport. ' Most of us are old enough to remember Waverley Park.
GusTee
Roar Pro
Sounds good but here is a tip Queensland, read the fine print of any ARU/RA/WHORU contract very very very carefully!
Waz
Guest
They’re asking the government to pay for it and football to play there to justify it. Go figure, only in Queensland could this stuff happen.
Waz
Guest
There are two organisations at Perry Park - there’s the Strikers and then Football QLD use it as a playing base. Roar would make a third.
AJ
Guest
This a good idea but be prepared for a rabid response from the neighbourhood. Despite it being a sports venue since the 1960's, the locals (the mast majority moving there since, and surely aware of it's existence) do their best to prevent it being used for that. I imagine that there would have to be a transport fix.
Tony
Guest
ads2600 What`s your point?? they are all hopeless coaches.We just don't want dud Kiwi coaches.Next. P.S Keep pouring that Tui Lager on you corn beef bro.
Tony
Guest
I said " our teams " Sheeeeesh .AAAAAAAARGH !!
deadwood
Roar Rookie
Why would anyone want to invest in a venue with no useful public transport. The last time the Reds tried their stupid "Back to Ballymore" stunt, it was a debacle with some buses not even turning up. Ballymore might suit those that live close enough to walk along with their picnic blankets clutched under their arms to make sure they take up more than their fair share of the hill, but that's about all.
ads2600
Guest
Am I missing something here? I thought the ARU/RA were broke? They couldnt afford to keep the Force, but they get a new name, pay raise, & put money towards a stadium reno? Cant be “that” broke?!
ads2600
Guest
@ Tony, noone wanted two “hopeless, but experienced” coaches in Stiles and Foley either lol. I have some onion dip for that kiwi chip on your shoulder mate?.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Might be a matter of knowing they'll get more as 2 organisations than only as 1.
Ballymore Brumby
Roar Pro
I'd like to see you get a ferry up Breakfast Creek to Ballymore.... *eye roll*
Ballymore Brumby
Roar Pro
Surprised that FFA isn't more interested in rebuilding Perry Park instead tbh. Ballymore suffers from very poor surrounding infrastructure and diabolical public transport links, which aren't easy or cheap to solve. Modest rain and the place turns what little car parking there is into a muddy bog.