Timing right for
“Given its popularity in the community, it’s time that rugby league had its own home”
TERRITORIANS are passionate about their sport.
That’s why this Government is investing in better sporting facilities, building the capacity of local sporting organisations and making sport more accessible for all Territorians, including women and girls.
We came to the election promising to build a home for rugby league at Warren Park and it’s exciting to see this jobcreating project taking shape. The contract has been awarded to local Territory company, Halikos Pty Ltd.
Construction is due to get under way in March.
Not only do Territorians love watching and playing sport, but investing in sporting infrastructure – like the $25 million home of rugby league at Warren Park – is also good for the economy.
The Warren Park project will create more than 120 jobs for locals during construction.
Alongside the new $18 million netball stadium and $16 million tennis centre currently under construction at Marrara, this is a key project under this Government’s record $1.75 billion job-creating infrastructure program.
Vitally, investments are central to connected communities. In particular, they will encourage more women and girls to get involved in sport and female-friendly facilities are an important inclusion in all new sporting infrastructure, including at Warren Park.
Rugby League is immensely popular in the Territory. Last year, I and many other Territorians enjoyed two sold-out games of league at TIO stadium – Parramatta versus the Cowboys and the amazing Kangaroos defeating Samoa in the Rugby League World Cup quarterfinal.
Given its popularity, it’s time that rugby league had its own home, with a central stadium that all clubs can make use of and that has the capacity to grow the game.
I am proud that this Government’s $25 million investment – the biggest investment in the local game since it was first played here in the NT – will finally give the code a home within the Marrara sporting precinct that will suit its needs now and into the fu- ture. It’s important to note that NRLNT, rugby league’s peak body, has always held the view that Warren Park is the best location for the home of rugby league in the Top End.
The former CLP government ignored the wishes of the peak body and then completely bungled their proposed redevelopment of Richardson Park.
We, on the other hand, will be talking to the community, Ludmilla Primary School and Brothers and Nightcliff rugby league clubs regarding Richardson Park as it has the potential to be an important community resource that will provide educational, recreatio- nal and sporting outcomes. In contrast to the CLP ignoring the wishes of the peak body, this Government listened to NRLNT, and what they told us they needed to allow for the future growth of the game, particularly kids and women, including space for additional fields and ample parking.
The new home for local rugby league at Warren Park will cater for all of this.
It has been designed with kids, women and families in mind. It will allow NRLNT’s junior development programs to flourish and produce the stars of the future.
There will be three fields – one shared with rugby union – and plenty of parking.
It will fulfil a key Government election commitment.
Supporting the participation of women and girls in sport is another election commitment we are actively honouring.
I recently convened a Women in Sport advisory committee to provide government with advice and guidance on what needs to be done to ensure women and girls have the same opportunities as their male counterparts when it comes to sports participation at every level.
There is much work to be done in this space but projects such as Warren Park will cater for the growth in women’s participation. I look forward to watching Territory women and girls play league at a brand new facility and the opportunities and pathways it will open up for more Territorians to go on to compete at elite levels.
I have met and spoken with the Top End’s rugby league club presidents about the Warren Park project – I know they have concerns about what it means for their individual clubs and I have assured each of them that the benefits will be spread across all clubs.
It will become a key facility for weekly fixtures and all clubs will get the opportunity to play games on its fields.
NRLNT’s tenancy and operation of the new facility at Warren Park is supported by the NRL, so we know that the future of Rugby League in the Territory is secure.
The Marrara sporting precinct is the perfect location for this new facility – we have seen AFL, Rugby Union, Soccer, Cricket, Athletics, Hockey, Netball and Squash all thrive there. Warren Park, alongside the $18 million Darwin Indoor netball stadium and the $16 million tennis centre under construction, will enhance what is already a wonderful community sporting amenity.
The new $25 million home for local rugby league at Warren Park is a huge win for the code and an even bigger win for the local rugby league community, who for too long now have been denied the playing and spectating facilities they deserve.
Lauren Moss is the Territory Minister for Tourism and Culture