Scully Park, Tamworth, was today confirmed as the 2016 City v Country Origin venue by the NRL as a part of the Representative Round on May 8.
The annual City v Country Origin fixture showcases some of the best talent within New South Wales, and effectively acts as a State of Origin trial.
Matt Moylan, James Tedesco, Blake Austin, James Maloney, Jack Bird, David Klemmer and Wade Graham were just some of the rising NRL stars that participated in the 2015 fixture that took place in front of a sell out crowd in Wagga Wagga.
It is a great opportunity for the people of Tamworth to show off their brand new stadium that recently undertook a $2.8 million renovation and features a 700-seat covered grandstand.
Col Murray, the Mayor of Tamworth, says the locals are excited to show off the new stadium, and can’t wait to see their heroes in action.
“Tamworth is a very strong Rugby League community, they always have been historically,” Murray said.
“To get a high-quality game like this right in our city on a new venue, it’s just fantastic. [The new stadium] has been a really good result, to get one of our corporate centres like the Wests Entertainment Group to fund this great facility – it’s the ultimate for any community to have that outcome.”
Scully Park opened its re-developed gates in June 2016, where the Manly Sea Eagles took on the North Sydney Bears in the VB NSW Cup.
Murray believes that securing the City v Country Origin fixture will add to the development of Rugby League in not just the town, but also the entire Country region within New South Wales.
“They really do [love Rugby League], and I think they will demonstrate that love with the League bringing this highly regarded game to the city,” Murray said.
“Any opportunity we get to see our champions on display in the flesh is a good one.”
The City v Country Origin fixture has been showcased in various Country towns and cities since 1994, including Wagga Wagga, Dubbo, Coffs Harbour, Mudgee, Albury, Port Macquarie, Orange, Wollongong, Lismore, Gosford, Bathurst and Newcastle.
