DESIGN plans for Moree’s million-dollar stadium are being wrapped up and the town is already dreaming of hosting NRL trial games and training camps.
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The final blueprint for the Burt Jovanovic Oval is expected this month and Boomerangs president Mitchell Johnson said it would meet NRL regional standards.
“It’s not everyday you get $1.8 million pumped into the town and we are looking to strike while the iron is hot and get some things happening,” Johnson said.
Moree Plains Shire Council executive projects manager John Carleton said the council aimed to put construction to tender in May.
Mr Carleton said he hoped construction would begin within a month of going to tender and that it would be completed by December.
He said MPSC was designing the field capable of hosting regional rugby league tournaments.
“If we aim for that standard – which is aspirational – we’ll get the maximum benefit for the club and the community of Moree,” he said.
“And if we can get the NRL to come in here to run a practise match then all the better.”
The Boomies’ president said recent visits from the Sea Eagles to Moree proved supporters would come from as far afield as Inverell and Narrabri to see their NRL clubs in action.
“We draw 3000 just for local grand finals so if you had clubs that are well supported out here... if the Rabbitohs were playing you could expect more than that, at least,” he said.
But it’s not just NRL trial matches and regional tournaments the Boomerangs aim to host.
Johnson said the club would be looking to build on existing facilities in town to make Moree a magnet for professional rugby league players.
“You’ve got to sell that idea and we’ve got a fantastic aquatic centre with thermal pools which are good for players’ recovery after matches and for things like soft tissue injuries,” he said. “We’ve got a fully equipped gym too so if you had a lower leg or muscle injury you could still be working on upper body strength.
“A couple of years ago some Parramatta players visited the pool, and that was before the upgrade even happened, and they were really impressed.”
Soccer camps at the university in Armidale also provided a model for what could be done with rugby league in Moree, Johnson said.
“You’ve got kids who travel from around the region to stay there for a few days and train with past and present Australian soccer players.”
Along with the Sea Eagles, the Boomerangs also have existing affiliations with the Penrith Panthers and the Gold Coast Titans.
MPSC economic development officer Mark Connolly travelled to Sydney with Johnson last year to meet with representatives of the NRL.
Since then the council has been working with consultants to develop a final blueprint for the stadium that meets safety standards set by the NRL.
The criteria includes distance between light poles and the quality of the turf amongst other things.