After confirming Orange remains on the radar to host elite-level events NSW Country Rugby Union president Barry Ruddy met Premier Gladys Berejiklian’s pledge of $25 million for the city’s long-proposed, purpose-built sporting precinct with subdued enthusiasm on Wednesday afternoon.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The pledge provides no guarantees because it’s dependent on coalition candidate Kate Hazelton ousting incumbent MP Phil Donato in next month’s state election but Ruddy said it does still renew some hope, potentially pushing Orange a step closer to boasting a top-level facility.
In terms of rugby union Orange has welcomed the Shute Shield and National Rugby Championship in recent years but Ruddy said as a host the city still has an obvious ceiling compared to many of its counterparts in regional NSW, having fallen behind them in terms of infrastructure.
“Orange has been missing out for a number of years,” Ruddy, who is also on NSW Rugby’s board and based in Orange himself, said.
“We’ve had the Shute Shield and the National Rugby Championship but places like Mudgee will continue to attract the even bigger games and events because they’ve invested in their facilities.
“Orange has been spoken about as a potential host but having a facility capable of [doing so] would make it far easier to attract the elite level. Even Newcastle is a good example, with the (NSW) Waratahs taking a Super Rugby game there this year.”
Newcastle is a far bigger centre and has the advantage of McDonald Jones Stadium being the Knights’ NRL base, but the Waratahs opting to take their 2017 trial against the ACT Brumbies to Mudgee’s Glen Willow Sporting Complex is closer-to-home reminder of the infrastructure necessary.
In terms of other codes Glen Willow also played host to the Western Sydney Wanderers’ A-League clash against the Brisbane Roar late last year, and will once again welcome the NRL’s Charity Shield between South Sydney and St George-Illawarra.
DO YOU WANT MORE ORANGE SPORT?
- Receive our free newsletters delivered to your inbox, as well as breaking news alerts. Sign up below …