Let There Be Lights!

R2K Comment: The below St.George-Illawarra press release confirms the Dragons have decided to switch their home game against the Broncos from Jubilee Oval to WIN Stadium. To offset the loss, Jubilee Oval has been allocated the round 25 match against Newcastle, which is a reasonable swap under the circumstances.

However, the main concern is that the Dragons can't guarantee that the Newcastle match will be played on a Sunday afternoon at Kogarah. Despite this, the St.George-Illawarra Club need to honour their commitment to their St.George based supporters and ensure that the Newcastle match is played at Kogarah regardless of when the NRL schedules it for that weekend.

The switching of the Broncos game emphasises the necessity for the Dragons and Kogarah Council to press ahead with Stage 2 of the Jubilee Oval redevelopment. Although Stage 1 has been completed, there can be no room for complacency and now more than ever, we need to guarantee the future of Kogarah Oval and elite rugby league in the St.George district. It is essential that Kogarah gains permanent lighting for season 2004 to ensure that this is no longer an issue in the future.

"Turn up the lights; I don't want to go home in the dark." - William Sydney Porter (American short-story writer)

Dragons to Switch Venues for Broncos Night Game (from www.dragons.com.au) 3 June 2003

The St George Illawarra Dragons have moved the Broncos game announced today by the NRL to be played on Friday night, July 4, from Oki Jubilee Stadium to WIN Stadium.

The Dragons have switched the round 17 match at Oki Jubilee Stadium with the round 25 match against Newcastle scheduled for the weekend of August 29-31 at WIN Stadium.

Dragons Chief Executive Officer Peter Doust said the Dragons made it clear their preference was to schedule Sunday (day) games when they returned to Oki Jubilee Stadium in 2003 because they believed it was the "best fit".

The Stage One refurbishment of Oki Jubilee Stadium has been completed, however, adequate lighting is not in place and Doust believes a night game should not be programmed there yet.

"The lighting issue needs to be resolved going forward and the Club is in the process of making appropriate applications to avoid similar transfers in 2004," Doust said.

"We appreciate Channel Nine has the rights to schedule NRL games and that we have been chosen as the best match of the round, however, we have the opportunity to move between our two communities to achieve the `best fit'. I understand some people may be disappointed, however on the other hand some people will be pleased."

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