NRL 2023: NRL clubs demand NSW Premier Chris Minns fixes suburban stadiums

New Premier Chris Minns has found himself at war with desperate NRL clubs, demanding he commit to upgrading Sydney’s ‘archaic’ suburban home grounds.

A former Manly star and official have launched a blistering attack on the NSW Government’s refusal to upgrade Sydney’s suburban grounds, claiming Sea Eagles fans have been given the “bum’s rush” for 40 years by attending a “third world” Brookvale Oval.

The outburst from ex-Manly grand final-winning forward, football manager and media director Peter Peters came on the same day new NSW Premier Chris Minns abruptly ruled out funding for rugby league grounds.

It immediately puts the Premier at war with the NRL, particularly Manly, Cronulla and Wests Tigers, clubs desperately seeking stadium revamps.

The drama comes after The Daily Telegraph revealed three high-profile NRL club officials - Manly chairman Scott Penn, Cronulla CEO Dino Mezzatesta and Wests Tigers chief executive Justin Pascoe - united in a demand that Minns commit to upgrading suburban home grounds.

New NSW Premier Chris Minns ruled out funding for rugby league grounds. Picture: NCA Newswire/ Monique Harmer

Minns’ rejection, along with previous broken promises around Brookvale Oval, drew a sharp rebuke from Peters, who roared: “Fans have had to use archaic facilities at Brookvale that border on third world. It is embarrassing going to get a beer or a pie — you miss half the game. And fans are fed up with going to the toilet and peeing in third-world conditions.

“For what the fans are being charged to go to the footy, they are being robbed every time they cheer on their team.

“For too long on the northern beaches, from all political parties in Government, supporters and sports fans have been getting the bum’s rush. It’s happened for generations.

“Throughout various positions at Manly over 40 years, I’m sick and tired of all the promises being made and not kept by people in high positions that purport to follow the club and game but in reality have done zilch.

“We’ve had Prime Ministers, premiers and ministers as local members come and strut their stuff at Brookvale but have done sweet FA. The fans have been treated shabbily for so long and been used up.

“Rugby league is a premier game – Brookvale is not only an embarrassment for residents on the northern beaches but the game itself. Between the Spit Bridge and Palm Beach – where there are more than 260,000 residents – and that’s our sporting showcase?

“Our one way through this is Peter V’landys. He promised to upgrade suburban grounds and he will want to keep that promise because he is a man of his word. Yes, everyone knows we need hospitals and schools but that will always be the case. NSW has fallen well behind in all grassroots sports.”

Pressed on how long Shark Park could survive as an NRL venue, Mezzatesta said: “We will make it work year to year for now.”

Minns’ refusal to offer cash for suburban grounds could push the NRL grand final interstate.

Asked if rugby league clubs would receive stadium upgrade funding, Minns told ABC Radio: “No. We were elected on a platform to turn around the performance of schools and hospitals and they have to be the absolute priority.

“And when you’ve got debt in NSW of $200 billion, the largest one Government has ever given to an incoming Government in the state’s entire history, we have to make decisions and we have to make priorities.

“We made it clear during the election campaign that our priority would be NSW schools and hospitals.

“When you have 6500 nurses leaving the profession in the last 12 months, we can’t have a repeat of that for the next 12 months. We need to turn around the performance of essential services and that’s my priority.”

Fans pack into the outdated Brookvale Oval. Picture: Getty Images

Manly, Cronulla and Wests Tigers were promised upgrade money under the former State Government - for Brookvale Oval, Leichhardt Oval, Campbelltown Stadium and Shark Park - only for then-Premier Dom Perrottet to backflip.

“We’ve seen new stadia built by the previous Government at Allianz and CommBank and obviously Labor and Chris Minns will stand by the decision to give $300m to Penrith,” said Manly CEO, Tony Mestrov.

“I say this … what’s the difference between a Penrith supporter and a Manly supporter? Why are we getting penalised and neglected? Is this about votes or genuinely helping the community and people?

“We have been talking about this for 4 Pines Park for years and we want to stay here forever. They call it Fortress Brookvale and we have been here since 1947 and we need some help with the upgrade of 4 Pines Park.”

Originally published as NRL 2023: NRL clubs demand NSW Premier Chris Minns fixes suburban stadiums