CRL confirms Tamworth as 2016 Country-City venue

CRL Chief Executive Terry Quinn, NSWRL Chief Executive David Trodden, NRL Head of Football Todd Greenberg and Tamworth Deputy Mayor Russell Webb have come together to announce Scully Park Regional Sporting Precinct, Tamworth as the venue to host the 2016 AAMI Country v City Origin clash.

Visiting the $2.8 million redevelopment of Scully Park No. 2 before its official public opening on Saturday 6th June, Quinn believed the new Scully Park was the perfect venue to host next year's fixture.

"We are really excited to see Tamworth and the Scully Park Regional Sporting Precinct host the 2016 AAMI Country v City clash," Mr Quinn said.

"It's great to see the finalisation of this development and the people of Tamworth can expect to see a state-of-the-art facility that is perfect for hosting elite level representative Rugby League matches and perfect for television broadcasters and attendees of the Country v City Origin match."

After the sold-out success of the McDonalds Park clash in Wagga Wagga this year, NRL Head of Football Todd Greenberg was confident Tamworth would offer the same positive experience for Rugby League fans across the North-West.

"There is no doubt there has been a revival in representative football this year - and it all started with the Country v City match," Mr Greenberg said.

"Not only was the venue at Wagga Wagga packed to capacity but the game was a wonderful advertisement for Rugby League.

"We know that the people of Tamworth are just as fanatical about their Rugby League and we expect the 2016 Country v City match to be just as successful."

His side may be the visitors when they travel to the Country each year, but NSWRL CEO David Trodden believed the Scully Park Regional Sporting Precinct was a venue the City Origin team would look forward to playing at next season.

"The AAMI Country v City Origin match is one of the highlights on the NSWRL calendar each year, and I'm certain the players selected will be looking forward to enjoying the atmosphere at the new Scully Park in Tamworth" Mr Trodden said.

"The North West has produced many fantastic footballers over the years and hopefully this match will inspire the next generation of young Rugby League players to fulfil their sporting dreams.

"It's very important to continue playing these types of elite level fixtures in regional areas and both the Country and City Origin teams will be excited about the opportunity to get out and amongst the community in the lead up to the game."

Speaking at today's announcement Tamworth Deputy Mayor Russell Webb believed hosting the 2016 AAMI Country v City match was something the people of Tamworth could be proud of.

"There's been a lot of hard work put into the building of this venue and being chosen as the host of next year's Country v City Origin match is something we should all be proud of," Mr Webb said.

"We are very grateful for the hard work that Wests Leagues, Tamworth Regional Council and members of our community have put into the new precinct and I'm excited for the people of Tamworth to show off their new facility on such a large scale.

"Hopefully this is just the beginning of many exciting things to come."

West League Club Chief Executive Rod Laing echoed the Deputy Mayor's thoughts on the announcement.

"We are delighted to see this new facility recognised as a venue which can hold elite sporting contests such as Country v City," Mr Laing said.

"A lot of money has gone into this project and to have a game of this calibre will be a benefit to the entire region."

The new Scully Park Regional Sporting Precinct features a new 700-seat covered grandstand comprising of two change rooms, ice baths, showers, toilets, medical and referee's rooms, bar and kiosk facilities, five corporate suites, broadcast and media boxes and disabled seating capabilities.

The venue will become the premier space for the North West for use by the local community, community organisations and local sporting groups.