Wests Tigers call ‘D-Day’ board meeting to discuss future stadium plan for Leichhardt Oval and Campbelltown Stadium

The Wests Tigers will meet next month to discuss their future stadium plan, with the club declaring they have received no confirmation of the rumoured $50m of government and NRL funding that will save Leichhardt Oval.

Wests Tigers bosses have set a June 17 ‘D-Day’ board meeting that will decide the future of the club’s stadium strategy after revelations Leichhardt Oval will receive $50 million in funding.

This masthead revealed that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and ARLC Chairman Peter V’landys will deliver up to $50 million in much needed funding to improve the dilapidated venue.

The funding agreement between federal, state and the inner west council will help save the hallowed rugby league venue.

Tigers bosses had a pre-planned board meeting on Monday in Brisbane, where the future of the stadium strategy for 2025 and beyond was on the agenda.

Fans have been fighting for Leichhardt Oval for years. Picture: Jonathan Ng

It’s understood CEO Shane Richardson is reluctant to commit to the club’s playing future at Leichhardt Oval.

The future of Campbelltown Stadium, where the club is narrowing its focus from a pathways and participation perspective, will be revealed on June 30 – two weeks after next month’s decisive board meeting.

In a statement to members on the back of Monday’s board meeting, club bosses said the Tigers are yet to receive confirmation over funding for Leichhardt Oval.

“There is a lot of media speculation around the potential and much-needed funding for Leichhardt Oval. To clarify, Wests Tigers has not received any confirmation from the Federal or State Government, or local Council, that funding for Leichhardt Oval upgrades has been approved,” the statement said.

“Furthermore, Wests Tigers has had no contact from the NRL about future funding for Leichhardt Oval.

“Our CEO, Shane Richardson, did receive a phone call from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese late last week, indicating that $20M had been earmarked for a Leichhardt Oval upgrade.”

Wests Tigers CEO Shane Richardson. Picture: David Swift

Any decision about where the Tigers will play until the end of 2027 will include ‘provisions’ to amend the stadium strategy once the proposed $50 million upgrade is finalised.

“Wests Tigers will hold its next board meeting on Monday 17th June, and at this board meeting we expect to sign off on a three-year stadium strategy for 2020-2027,” the board told members.

“There will be provisions within this plan to make adjustments, if and when government funding for Leichhardt Oval is approved. As stated above, Wests Tigers Members will be the first to learn of these plans once approved.”

This masthead revealed the money to upgrade Leichhardt Oval was set aside in last week’s federal budget under infrastructure projects.

The project will include a new grandstand at the northern end of the venue with much needed corporate and hospitality areas.

Originally published as Wests Tigers call ‘D-Day’ board meeting to discuss future stadium plan for Leichhardt Oval and Campbelltown Stadium