Central Coast Stadium: 20 highlights to celebrate 20 years
With the palm trees standing proudly at the southern end of the bayside venue, there is no topping the location of our very own Central Coast Stadium – this week celebrating its 20th anniversary.
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Mark O’Meley was just 18 years old when he ran out onto the field for the Northern Eagles on the opening night at Central Coast Stadium 20 years ago.
O’Meley, a proud coastie, knew better than most how much of a landmark moment it was for the local community on that February night in 2000.
He had played at the same location three years earlier in a Country Championship final at 15 years of age, and went on to be part of history in 2000.
“It was outstanding,” he said of the opening night.
“The rain had slowed down the progress of the stadium; as players we had waited for two years.
“It was something everyone had wanted for so long.”
The Eagles beat Newcastle 24-14 that night, with a certain M. O’Meley named man of the match.
He was joined in the Northern Eagles line-up on opening night by fellow coasties Michael Buettner and Jamie Goddard.
Buettner recalled putting in the grubber kick that led to the first try at the new venue in the win over the highly fancied Knights.
Goddard recalled the “whole area was buzzing” about the new stadium.
“I still reckon it’s one of the best stadiums going around,” he said. “The crowd is that close to the ground.”
Stadium Party
To celebrate 20 years of Central Coast Stadium, the turnstiles are opening to the public on Saturday for a birthday party to remember. There will be live music, food, prizes, games and appearances from the Sydney Roosters, South Sydney Rabbitohs and our Central Coast Mariners. There will be guided tours of the stadium, roving animals from the Australian Reptile Park, anniversary merchandise given away and the chance to win big in their birthday competition. The fun runs from 10am-2pm.
20 highlights in 20 years
Just over 3.6 million patrons have passed through the turnstiles at 490 events at Central Coast Stadium across two decades. Here are twenty highlights across those 20 years:
Feb 6, 2000 Northern Eagles v Newcastle Knights – crowd 20,059
Aug 28, 2000 Sydney Olympic Torch Relay celebrations
Nov 25, 2000 Heatwave Festival featuring Killing Heidi, Grinspoon, Bodyjar and more
Feb 19, 2001 Anthony Mundine beat Marc Bargero to claim Australian Super Middle Title
Oct 11, 2003 Ireland 45 d Romania 17 Rugby World Cup pool match – crowd 19,123
Oct 14, 2003 Argentina 67 d Namibia 14 Rugby World Cup pool match – crowd 17,887
Oct 27, 2003 US 39 d Japan 26 Rugby World Cup pool match – crowd 19,653
Dec 31, 2005 Mariners v Jets – crowd 11,612 (first New Year’s Eve fixture)
Dec 31, 2007 Mariners v Melb Victory (biggest New Year’s Eve crowd at the venue) 18,686
Jan 12, 2008 Newcastle Jets 2 – Mariners 1 – crowd 19,238 (largest A-League crowd at the venue to date)
May 3, 2008 Crusty Demons – crowd 9000+
Nov 1, 2008 Scotland 18 d Fiji 16 Rugby League World Cup group match – crowd 9720
Feb 27, 2010 NRL trial match double header Tigers d Sharks and Roosters d Eels – crowd 18,511
April 17, 2010 Crusty Demons – crowd 7000+
March 19, 2011 Nitro Circus – crowd 9000+
Aug 16, 2013 NRL Souths d Manly 22-10 – crowd 20,060
April 1, 2017 Nitro Circus – crowd 12,000+
July 1, 2017 NRL Sharks 44 d Roosters 12 – crowd 20,060
February 3, 2018 Queen’s Baton Relay community celebrations
Mar 31, 2018 Lionel Richie and Nile Rodgers in concert – crowd approx. 10000
Shivers and opportunities
“To see the jubilation and hear the noise in that stadium on those nights – it’s just deafening”
Inaugural Central Coast Mariners coach Lawrie McKinna still gets “wee shivers” about the atmosphere at big matches.
“It’s a great asset and has brought lots of opportunities to the Central Coast”
Councillor Chris Holstein, mayor of Gosford City on the stadium’s opening night who during his speech ripped off his shirt to reveal a Northern Eagles jersey.
“Over the past 20 years the stadium has seen many changes, however, it is now in the best shape it has ever been. We are so proud of the calibre of events the stadium has attracted to the region including Lionel Richie, NRL matches, Nitro Circus, Rugby Union and A-League games.”
Stadium manager Kath Casey