Ever since the New South Wales government announced $2.3 billion in funding for three stadiums in Sydney, there has been controversy.
Yet, under a cloud of Covid-19, Parramatta Stadium remains the only stadium completed. Fortunately, for sports lovers; it is a beauty.
For rugby league fans it was hoped that the redevelopment of the Sydney Football Stadium (SFS) and the Olympic Stadium would end up just as good. Alas, the sports fan will need to wait and see.
The NSW government will no longer commit the remaining $810 million left for the Olympic Stadium. Instead, it will place this money into projects that it classes as “shovel ready”.
The problem the sport of rugby league faces is that apart from the SFS, it doesn’t have any other “shovel ready projects”.
Though not all is lost. Rugby league has Peter V’landys working for them.
His belief that rugby league should have three to four purpose-built boutique stadiums with a maximum capacity of approximately 20 thousand spectators is the right move. I wrote in an article in 2017 that the New South Wales stadium policy in building behemoth type stadiums was madness.
It made no sense building stadiums in place of almost perfectly good ones when they rarely sold out in the first place.
Bankwest Stadium in Parramatta. (Photo by Matt Blyth/Getty Images)
To highlight the point further, Sydney is not Melbourne. Sydney is not centralised in its planning like its southern cousin, and consequently, large stadiums will not bring the crowds.
The two cities are very much different in their geographical design and their culture. I have elaborated on this difference in a previous article: The Cold War of Australian Sport.
Still, to generalise the point once more – Sydney is a combination of little enclaves that join together to make a whole. For example, the people in Manly are generally reluctant to travel across the Spit Bridge. Furthermore, the people in the Shire would rather hang there than travel anywhere else.
For the people in the east, heading west past Anzac Parade and out Penrith way is not on their radar. In fact, for people in the west like Penrith and Campbelltown, they only travel east if they have to – and that is usually for work or an odd night in the city. In essence, people in Sydney don’t like to travel.
Under the disregarded stadium policy, the problem for rugby league was how to fill the big stadiums. The answer was evident for all.
Apart from State of Origin or a grand final, the game couldn’t. In a way, the government’s back-track has opened up options for the sport, and the solution is as what Peter V’landys has expressed – small boutique but, completely modern stadiums.
The last part is vital to any construction of such stadiums – they must be modern. They must be roofed, where all the spectators are protected as best as possible from the elements.
Naturally, being close to the action and excellent amenities makes a difference. Still, if the government designs them right, the crowds should show up.
So far, Brookvale, Penrith and Campbelltown have been mentioned. Also, discussed was a stadium in Southern Sydney, with Kogarah being the most likely choice. However, I think one set for the Sharks might be the better option.
The reason is that for the most part, the Dragons draw a bigger crowd out of Illawarra than they do at Kogarah. I know the difference is not much – approximate numbers are 10,800 to 12,600 (excluding finals).
Yes, I do note that I am not a Dragons fan. In this case, I was only going off the numbers and a personal belief that we should do more as a game to cater to the Illawarra and South Coast region of NSW.
For interest, the Wests Tigers draw more people to Leichhardt than they do Campbelltown (approx. 13,700 to 12,600), but I suspect a lot of that has to do with scheduling marquee games in the inner west. Ultimately, I feel for the club to thrive moving forward, the south-west must be made their permanent base.
Suburban grounds in the NRL like Leichardt have excellent atmosphere. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
One thing in favour of rugby league attempting to secure funding for these boutique stadiums is that they could be used for a multitude of other sports and events, with soccer and rugby union being on that list. It may be unlikely to happen, but so too was the May 28th season restart.
Clearly, under a revised policy, the grand final and the State of Origin would still be played out the Olympic Stadium and so they should as they are the pinnacle matches.
However, just imagine, Penrith, Wests Tigers, Cronulla, and Manly playing out of a purpose-built stadium in their geographical locations. Parramatta and Canterbury drawing good crowds at Parramatta’s Bankwest and the Bunnies and the Roosters playing at a redeveloped SFS.
No doubt I am getting ahead of myself, especially with a government that doesn’t seem to be able to make up its mind, but I hope for the best.
I hope that when this Covid-19 matter passes that no more lives have been lost and rugby league fans can watch the sport of their choice at world-class boutique stadiums.
Bernie Vinson
Guest
Internationals??????? Whens the last time the NRL played an international in Sydney that drew a crowd from elsewhere ??? vrs Lebanon made up of sydney reserve graders...
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
There is an ethical issue around using public money to fund development of stadiums used by privately-owned enterprises, who then get to keep the profits generated by the stadiums, with government getting little ROI. I pose this question - if multiple NRL clubs cannot sell out the stadiums they currently occupy, then what is the economic argument being mounted to redevelop the same stadiums into so-called "boutique" ones? There is no guarantee that this will bring about crowds. If the NRL wanted to mount a worthwhile argument, it would come as a result of stadiums having to turn people away. That would be an argument for taxpayer-funded redevelopment, not the present scenario. Until such time, NRL clubs should be subject to the same financial decisions that effect other private business, which is that if they want new infrastructure, they should primarily fund it themselves. As an aside, I think all Sydney clubs should look to return to their suburban grounds. It will definitely come at less profit, but the big concern for the NRL right now is its cost base. Returning to spiritual homes is a far stronger argument for fans to return than pumping millions into infrastructure white elephants that could send entire economies broke.
Mark Campbell
Roar Guru
Oh, the embarrassment. I meant 1999, not 1998.
Mark Campbell
Roar Guru
Hello Peeeko, Thanks for the response. I took my stats from the period between the years 1998 - 2019. Importantly, I only referenced games played at WIN or Kogarah. I didn't count finals or when the Dragons played at other Sydney venues. Naturally, counting other venues may shift the numbers a little. Hope that helps clarify the numbers a little.
Samuel Power
Roar Rookie
Bankwest sold out for the Elimination Final last year between the Eels and Broncos, it also sold out for the Sydney Derby between WSW and Sydney FC in October.
Samuel Power
Roar Rookie
It doesn't matter. The AFL continuously fills that ground every week. West Coast Eagles average about 55k and Freo average a touch over 40,000, and that's in an extremely poor season. Optus Stadium also holds games over the summer such as BBL matches (around 5 a season) and national games, a test or two over the summer and an ODI or two. These NRL stadiums are going to have 1 tenant (besides Campbelltown), why would the government get the taxpayer to pay for some stadiums that are going to be used 15 times a year at the ABSOLUTE MAX?
Blackberry Smoke
Guest
What you do in ya spare time is entirely your business.
Nat
Roar Guru
These bored AFL boys Crispy. Some one should tell him code wars are for the off season. Oh wait, they STILL are. :laughing:
Chris.P.Bacon
Guest
......making friends Nat! :laughing:
Nat
Roar Guru
BS, you're answering a question that you asked, not mine. Wayne said "AFL did provide funding" and posted a link that mentioned nothing about the final offer. I searched and still couldn't find a figure the AFL contributed but did find the $100m. So I asked a very simple question. Not one for you to over-analyse and create some type of AFL vs ... and still NOT answer the very basic question. If you don't know, don't reply.
Big Daddy
Guest
Many years ago when Gallop was CEO before the commission was ever thought of part of the franchise agreement was that clubs had to have grounds brought up to standard for playing NRL matches. Some clubs have made an effort and some have made no progress at all. The trouble is councils like Warringah and Leichhardt have never made an effort to upgrade mainly because they're only used for six months . The ground at Gosford was developed on the premise of the Northern Eagles and while that franchise did not work out it is the ideal size for a boutique stadium. Capacity 20k all seated and right beside public transport. At the moment it is under utilised. My thoughts are when any Sydney team plays Newcastle they should get good crowds as Newcastle fans don't need to travel far and someone like East's who have an association with Central Coast juniors and Manly would be ideal teams to play there.
clipper
Roar Rookie
You're being disingenuous - the original poster questioned why the taxpayer should pay for new stadiums - others replied saying the AFL got a new stadium, which others said they partially paid, although no one knows how much. You replied questioning if it was more than the 100m the stadium operator put in. I just noted that that stadium was needed and is utilised very well, so a good investment - stadiums that are only 1/4 full are not such a good investment. Don't know what war the NRL have already won - they rushed back due to money woes, which for now has been a good decision. The AFL have been more cautious and have lost 2 weeks.
Nat
Roar Guru
100%, even I think V'landys pushing it with this call. This is borrowed money the NSW Govt are using, not some pot of cash buring a hole in their pockets.
Nat
Roar Guru
So you cannot answer the question? There was no mention or slight inclination that the $100m was a bad investment nor did I make any compaison the NRL. You want to make up a code war, guess what, the NRL have already won. Go back to discussing 'the 10 players your club would miss' or whatever other AFL boys are discussing. No one else cares.
Big Daddy
Guest
Spruce, Add in Newcastle, Belmore, Hurstville, Drummoyne Blacktown , the list goes on. Any sporting body going cap in hand to the government wants to have a plan on how they are going to fill those stadium's. I hope Gladys doesn't cave in unlike a few of her colleagues.
clipper
Roar Rookie
I disagree - you mention the $100m the operator gave the AFL to play there as if it was a bad investment. The NSW govt gave the NRL a huge sum to keep the GF because it sells out and is good for tourism etc. The WA stadium sells out nearly every week, so is a better investment on that money. No one seems to be able to provide a definite answer to your question. My guess is that it is far more than the NRL ever puts into any stadium
Christo the Daddyo
Roar Rookie
Just passing on my experience. Do you have a problem with that?
Micko
Roar Rookie
GWS? That's an oval though?
Simon
Guest
Have you been to the Olympic stadium? The atmosphere is shocking. I would have much rather they left the SFS (wonderful stadium) and even Parra the same and fixed up Olympic Park. So many times I’ve gone to that stadium excited for a big occasion and wished I had of watched the game at home
Blackberry Smoke
Guest
You appear to be quite an authority on those kinds of places .