LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
Wests Tigers Lock in Long-Term Plan
More than $100 million in government funding will secure the Wests Tigers' presence at Leichhardt Oval and Campbelltown Sports Stadium, alleviating concerns that the club might relocate if these venues weren't upgraded.
The 15-year stadium strategy was revealed on Monday, following extensive negotiations between the club and various government entities. This comes after Tigers chief executive Shane Richardson had warned in April that they might leave Campbelltown if funding was not obtained.
The Tigers have hosted games at both suburban venues as well as CommBank Stadium this season, and the club has now committed to a long-term future in the NRL and NRLW at these two historic locations.
While Leichhardt Oval looked splendid during a recent Sunday matchup, it requires urgent renovations. Campbelltown, on the other hand, is vital for the club, given the number of junior talent that hails from that area.
Despite ongoing calls to abandon these venues due to subpar facilities, there are no plans at present to transition to a major stadium.
Richardson announced the funding during Sunday's game against the Cowboys, indicating that the commercial terms and specifics regarding the number of games at each venue will be finalized in the near future.
"We face a unique set of challenges as a joint-venture club and it was vitally important to ensure this strategy supported the long-term financial sustainability of the Wests Tigers while maintaining a strong connection to the communities we represent," he stated in an official club announcement.