City of Ballarat Mayor Cr Craig Fletcher has called on Council to support a campaign to bring AFL to Ballarat.
“Our city should be the next home of AFL – it’s a natural fit. Ballarat is the Capital of Western Victoria and one of the Australia’s fastest growing cities.
“We have long been committed to securing a position on the AFL agenda and now is the right time to signal to the League that we are serious about hosting AFL games in Ballarat.”
Mayor Fletcher said Ballarat – just an hour up the road from Melbourne – is right in the heart of AFL territory.
“We applaud the national expansion of the AFL – it truly is Australia’s football code – and we believe it’s important to recognise the devotion of die-hard AFL fans who have eagerly followed their beloved game and favourite clubs for many decades.
“Ballarat’s AFL supporters are dedicated, passionate sports fans who enthusiastically invest their spirit, time and money into the sport, a loyalty that’s often life-long and passed down from generation to generation.
Hosting major sporting events is not a new game for Ballarat, said Mayor Fletcher.
“Ballarat is home to premier national and international cycling events and just today announced that the city will host the 2012 Victorian and Australian Masters Rowing Championships. Our city is primed to welcome more first-class sporting events and we would love to add AFL to that list.”
Mayor Fletcher said the City of Ballarat is currently meeting with the State Government about future development of the Ballarat Major Events Precinct, including Eureka Stadium.
“The City of Ballarat is working on transforming Eureka Stadium into Victoria’s best sports and entertainment precinct which as a result will boost the local and regional economy, increase jobs and give our community access to national, state and regional level sport.”
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The Ballarat Major Events Precinct which comprises the Eureka Stadium, Ballarat Showgrounds and adjacent recreational facilities is a City of Ballarat priority project.
Mayor Fletcher is calling on Council to advance its Ballarat Major Events Precinct plans and make the project a top priority.
“Bringing AFL to Ballarat and advancing the redevelopment of Ballarat’s Major Events Precinct go hand-in-hand. We have detailed and inspiring plans and to make this great vision a reality, we need to move forward and best position the project for future funding.”
The vision of the Ballarat Major Events Precinct redevelopment of the Eureka Stadium and Showgrounds includes:
- A football ground and stadium to comply with AFL standards including the construction of a 5,000 seat grandstand.
- An indoor, flexible exhibition space of 3,000sqm to host major events in world-class facilities.
- The modernisation of agricultural society facilities
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The Ballarat Major Events Precinct project was developed in response to Ballarat’s identified lack of large-scale exhibition space; convention space of at least 1,000-person capacity; and a sporting venue that meets AFL standards.
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Mayor Fletcher said that Eureka Stadium is a first-rate football venue. The home ground of the back-to-back Victorian Football League (VFL) premiers North Ballarat Roosters, Eureka Stadium has also hosted AFL pre-season (NAB Challenge) matches.
In July, the City of Ballarat signed an agreement with Sport and Recreation Victoria for a $921,000 grant for Eureka Stadium. The State Government funding is an important injection of funds for community and high-level sport. The project is a collaboration between key stakeholders including the City of Ballarat, North Ballarat Football Club, State Government, AFL and AFL Victoria.
Ballarat has a long, proud relationship with the Australian Football League. Each September, legions of local AFL fans descend upon Melbourne to cheer Richmond and North Melbourne and celebrate our nation’s greatest historical moment at the Eureka Game. Mayor Fletcher said this year’s game, on Sunday, 4 September will be an exciting event.
“The fourth annual Eureka Game will showcase Ballarat as a great destination to visit and the best city to live. It’s a great event that brings Ballarat to the AFL but now, importantly, we are extending an invitation to the AFL world to come to Ballarat.”
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