New home ground for Waratahs
NEWS: The Waratahs will play three Super Rugby matches in Western Sydney in 2019.
The new Western Sydney Stadium will be the venue for three of the team’s competition matches – against the Sharks (South Africa), Jaguares (Argentina) and a local Aussie derby against the Brumbies.
NSW Rugby CEO Andrew Hore said the new facility in Western Sydney provided a great opportunity to showcase the sport at its best to the local area and the international markets where rugby is played.
“Western Sydney is one of the fastest growing regions in NSW with a diverse population that has a strong passion for rugby. We want to capitalise on this and by taking the Waratahs to that region it will hopefully further encourage more youngsters to take up the sport.
“This also aligns with our broader Western Sydney strategy that has looked specifically at the needs of the area to grow the game and encourage participation and fan engagement.
“The fact that we will be one of the first sports to play at the newly developed, state-of-the-art Western Sydney Stadium is a real opportunity for our fans and rugby participants in Western Sydney.
“We want to continue to grow and develop the sport in that area and the fact that the Waratahs will play three matches there next year will certainly help us towards that goal,” Hore said.
Minister for Sport Stuart Ayres said Western Sydney Stadium is set to give fans an experience unlike anything they have seen before.
“No longer taken for granted, no longer second best, Western Sydney is now leading the way when it comes to sporting infrastructure and we welcome the NSW Waratahs to this fantastic new facility,” Ayres said.
“By showcasing our talented NSW Waratahs in Western Sydney, we will show our younger players the pathway to the top, right in their backyard.”
Waratahs prop Shambeckler Vui, who was born in Bankstown, also welcomed the team’s commitment to play in Western Sydney.
“The Western Sydney area is special to me and to have the opportunity to play at a brand new stadium not far from where I was born is awesome.
“If our presence here can help more kids see what a great game rugby is and the chances you get through the sport, then I’ll be a happy man,” Vui said.
