CA Brumbies to take rugby to the Northern Territory
Thursday, 29 April 2010
Brumbies Media Unit
George Gregan at a Darwin crocodile farm during a 2003 Wallabies training camp
Brumbies Rugby has embarked on a three-year agreement with the Northern Territory Government to help bring top-line rugby to the territory.
The partnership includes playing one annual Super 15 pre-season match in Darwin from 2011, providing support and involvement in the Northern Territory’s Hottest Sevens in the World, and providing a pathway for elite players, coaching assistance and referee coaching and opportunities.
The agreement will also see CA Brumbies players and coaching staff have intensive involvement in the Northern Territory rugby community, both through the Northern Territory Rugby Union’s Sevens program and running development programs in indigenous communities such as Nhulunbuy, Jabiru and the Tiwi Islands.
Brumbies Rugby CEO Andrew Fagan says 2011 will mark the beginning of a great partnership between the CA Brumbies and the Northern Territory.
“This is a great opportunity for us to spread the rugby message and ensure that our game is reaching every corner of the country,” he said. “There’s a strong rugby culture in the Northern Territory and this has been demonstrated by the success of the Hottest Sevens in the World tournament, which is now the biggest non-IRB Sevens tournament in the country.
“This is an exciting opportunity to bring Super 15 rugby to the Territory in the form of a pre-season match and the feedback has been very positive from the players at the news that we will be playing up there over the next three years.
“But this agreement is more than just rugby. It’s also about being involved with the local and indigenous communities and providing that pathway for talented players to realise their potential.”
Northern Territory Minister for Sport and Recreation Karl Hampton says Budget 2010 delivers $900,000 to bring the CA Brumbies to Darwin annually until 2013.
“The Territory Government is committed to enhancing the great Territory lifestyle by bringing a diversity of world-class events to our own backyard,” he said. “Rugby has a huge and growing following across the Territory, as we have seen with the popularity of the Hottest Sevens tournament.
“This Budget commitment will have the star-studded Brumbies play another Australian or New Zealand Super 15 team every February at Austar Park for the ‘Territory Cup’, in a match that will bring big economic benefits while promoting the Territory across borders through this truly international sport.”
“The chance to see world-class Rugby in Darwin will grow the local profile of the game, the international profile of the Territory and inspire a generation of our young athletes.”
