Group 11 is in the process of gaining clarification from the Country Rugby League in relation to the chances of hosting top flight NRL matches from next season onwards.
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With this year marking the final year of the City-Country representative clash, the NRL is expected to announce a number of regular season matches will be held in regional areas from next season.
But with Bathurst already committed to hosting one Penrith Panthers match a season until 2028, other cities in the western area may miss out, in particular Dubbo, Orange and Mudgee.
Country Rugby League chief executive officer Terry Quinn confirmed the focus for his organisation is to share matches evenly around the state.
That comes as a blow to Caltex Park’s chances with one match per season already guaranteed to be played in the region.
For example, Dubbo hasn’t hosted top flight rugby league since 2014 when the City-Country match was played at Caltex Park while the city hasn’t had NRL sides visit since the Canterbury Bulldogs and Canberra Raiders played out a trial in 2010.
Orange hosted the Raiders and Newcastle Knights just last year, but that was only a trial as well.
Quinn’s feeling, he hasn’t had confirmation yet from the NRL’s Todd Greenberg or Brian Canarvon, is two or three matches including the Bathurst fixture will be played in country areas each year from 2018.
“I’m confident we’ll still get two or three games in the country per season and that will help the game develop,” Quinn said, before confessing Bathurst’s deal may be detriment to the likes of Dubbo, Mudgee and Orange.
“It could be but it depends on a number of things. Our theory is playing games throughout the state so everywhere gets a chance so it might be difficult.”
Group 11 operations manger Paul Loxley felt four a season was more likely going from what he had heard, but did confirm he had spoken to Country Rugby League Western regional manager Peter Clarke to gain clarification on NRL matches being played at Caltex Park.
Loxely also confirmed Group 11, working with Dubbo Regional Council and the Wellington Aboriginal Corporation Health Service, enquired about playing host to the Manly Sea Eagles in conjunction with local competition kick-off this weekend and the looming National Indigenous Touch Football Knockout but nothing ever eventuated.
Our theory is playing games throughout the state so everywhere gets a chance.
- CRL CEO Terry Quinn
Timing was one issue Quinn pointed to in relation to Dubbo’s chances. He stated if Bathurst was to host its Panthers match early in the season there was a chance another western city could feature later in the year.
But there will no doubt be plenty of competition for the matches when the NRL confirms the news with, most likely due to facilities, Dubbo, Mudgee, Tamworth and Wagga just some of the centres set to potentially battle it out for possibly just one or two matches a year.
“We’d love to have a game,” Loxley said, adding he felt Dubbo and Mudgee’s facilities were better than those of Bathurst’s Carrington Park.
“It’s great (for Bathurst) to get the games...but would probably be more fair if it was shared around rather than 10 in Bathurst.”
Loxley, who has served on local council in the past, added he would also be keen on knowing the exact amount in terms of dollars it takes Bathurst to get games before any decision was made.