A-LEAGUE EXCITEMENT: Northern Inland Football manager Howard Stubbs, left, NIF executive Dino Perezzolo, TRC business events supervisor Michaela Stevens and TRC business events manager Gavin Flanagan are excited about next weekend’s Al-League pre-season match being played at Wests. Photo: Barry Smith 230812BSA02
By Jacqueline van Aanholt
TWO of the biggest sporting events to hit Tamworth in the past 12 months take place in the first week of next month.
On September 1 the A-League’s Newcastle Jets and Brisbane Roar will kick off their pre-season preparations in match at Scully Park.
The following weekend, Saturday September 7 and Sunday September 8, the Tamworth Sports Dome will play host to Australian National Basketball League’s Sydney Kings and the Cairns Taipans.
It will be the first time the back-to-back A-League champs, the Roar, have been to the city and it’s the second visit for the Jets.
Their match is scheduled to kick-off at 6.30pm on the Saturday night.
The A-League game boasts appearances from Michael Bridges, German international Thomas Broich and last year’s Golden Boot winner Besart Berisha.
Tamworth Regional Council’s business events supervisor Michaela Stevens said the event, called the Northern Inland Football A-League Challenge, was a great opportunity for fans to witness top level football locally.
“It has been six years since an A-League football match was held in Tamworth and with the Newcastle Jets taking on back-to-back champions Brisbane Roar, this is a game not to be missed,” she said.
Ms Stevens said TRC was encouraging football fans from throughout the region to get to the match.
“This game provides a unique opportunity for residents of the region to experience top quality football close to home and we want as many people as possible to take advantage of this opportunity,” she said.
“Tickets to the game are on sale now and with three ticket categories available, general admission, silver and gold, there is an option to suit everyone’s budget.”
Representatives from both of the teams’ camps are excited about bringing the A-League to a regional city too.
“We look forward to a great game against reigning champions Brisbane Roar as we continue our preparation for the 2012/13 season,” Jets manager, Gary van Egmond said.
Jets chief executive officer Robbie Middleby said it was great to be bringing an A-League trial game to Tamworth and showcase the game to the northern NSW region.
“From my perspective, this is a vital component of our preparations for the Hyundai A-League season. As part of the bigger picture, it is important to help spread the football word throughout regional Australia,” Brisbane Roar coach Rado Vidosic said.
General admission tickets start at $14 for children and $19 for adults and are available from Wests or on line at www.wtlc.com.au
