Sydney Sixers announce 2023 Big Bash Coffs Harbour match

The Sydney Sixers are bringing the Big Bash back to Coffs Harbour, stoking an arms race between rival codes to build their brands on the Mid-North Coast. See why the stakes are high.

A Sixers fan enjoys a Big Bash match in Coffs Harbour.

The scrap for the hearts, minds and grass of Coffs Harbour by professional sports franchises cranks ever onward as the Sydney Sixers reveal plans to stage another Big Bash fixture at the C.ex International Stadium.

The men in magenta have established Coffs as something of a home away from home - and local cricket fans have jumped at the chance to see first class action.

“Every time we play at Coffs Harbour the place is sold out so it’s always an electric atmosphere, the guys love it and it’s always a good game up there,” Sixers batsman Daniel Hughes said.

Daniel Hughes of the Sixers is dismissed during the Big Bash League match between the Sydney Sixers and the Perth Scorchers at Coffs Harbour on January 9. Picture: Matt Roberts/Getty Images

But the Sixers are only part of the at-times pressured jigsaw to secure Coffs as a base camp outside of Sydney.

High flying National Rugby League (NRL) outfit Cronulla Sharks have also gained a foothold, selling out the stadium at their June 18 match against Gold Coast Titans.

The A-League’s Newcastle Jets also have dibs, while the amateur and large participation state finals of Oztag have made plays for Coffs.

Cameron McInnes of the Sharks signs autographs for the crowd after the round 15 NRL match between Cronulla and the Gold Coast Titans on June 18 in Coffs Harbour. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

And therein lies the rub - as the rival codes battle for pecking rights at the C.ex turf field.

One rival sports administrator described the recent staging of the Oztag state cup at the complex as “Bill Harrigan’s circus” - the former top NRL referee now heads up Australian Oztag.

Less combative, but still determined to claim a stake in the region have been the NRL Sharks.

“The Sharks are now invested in the Coffs coast area as it allows us to expand our brand,” Sharks Group CEO Dino Mezzatesta said.

Opening of the Coffs Coast Regional Sports Hub Stage 2. Picture: Chris Knight

“We are keen to grow what has become a solid supporter base and further develop our partnerships in community programs.”

Demand for ground rights is a win for Coffs Harbour City Council and also a balancing act - as earlier this year anchor tenant of the adjacent all-weather synthetic fields, North Coast Football, bemoaned local sports were getting frozen out by mega events.

Potshots were fired about the fields being made available to a visiting gridiron exhibition, prompting council to explain its access policy.

An Australia Cup knockout football game at the new synthetic fields at Coffs Harbour. Picture: Chris Knight

“While it’s great to see such demand, we have to be mindful that we have to give all codes and groups a fair share of council facilities,” council’s Dan Heather said.

“We do prioritise international, national and regional events at facilities like the C.ex Coffs International Stadium and Coffs Coast Synthetics over local events, but there are sound economic and community reasons for that.

“Such events bring more than $30m on average every year into the local economy. That money helps us provide more and better facilities for the community as a whole.”

Elton John performs at the C.ex International Stadium as part of his global farewell tour.

Mr Heather noted local sport competitions enjoyed the bulk of the booking at the flagship grounds.

Through the first five months of 2022, there had been some 370 bookings for the synthetic grounds (which opened only in February) - and 98 per cent of that traffic had been by local sports and schools.

The polite push and shove between the sports was heightened by the wild wet weather which forced the closure of scores of turf fields across the Coffs Coast earlier in the year.

Sydney Sixers star Jordan Silk at the Coffs International Stadium. Picture: David Wigley.

Meantime, the Sixers are getting in early in announcing a fixture at the C.ex - where even Elton John played a gig in his farewell tour - for 2023.

The Sixers will host the Adelaide Strikers on January 17, and batter Daniel Hughes is already spruiking for support as the franchise preps to chase its third Big Bash title in four seasons.

“Just get around us,” Hughes said.

“We’re going to get a few games in the school holidays so it’s the perfect time to get out there and support us.

“Whenever we can get back to the SCG and play in front of a packed house or even when we play away in our regional areas, it’s (fan attendance) huge for us.”