NZ Warriors: NRL side supported by Star of the Sea, Impact Gym on Central Coast
Central Coast businesses are preparing to play their part in the New Zealand Warriors stay in the region from late next week.
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The Central Coast is ready for an injection of NRL fever when the New Zealand Warriors make the region their Australian base from late next week.
Impact Gym, Erina, will host the squad’s gym sessions, while the travelling group of about 50 players and officials will be based at Star of the Sea apartments.
Central Coast Council has also confirmed the Warriors will train at Gosford’s Central Coast Stadium in preparation for the start of the NRL season on May 28.
Impact Gym has been involved with the Warriors in recent weeks, setting up their makeshift gym in Tamworth, where the team has been in lockdown.
“We had a couple of trucks move stuff from our Erina gym and set a gym up in the events room at the hotel they are staying,” Impact Gym co-owner Belinda Ostini said.
“Then we go back and collect everything and set it back up at Erina and get it sanitised.”
Bob Lloyd from Star of the Sea confirmed the Warriors would join the long list of elite sporting teams who have stayed at the exclusive Terrigal residential resort.
He said they were taking every required precaution ahead of their stay.
“We’re following government instructions to the letter of the law,” he said.
He said it was a boost for the business after $600,000 of cancellations from the end of March until the end of May.
Council chief executive Gary Murphy said Council had been working behind the scenes with the Warriors to make this happen.
“Council has had a long positive relationship with the NRL. Hosting the New Zealand Warriors is recognition of Council management of Central Coast Stadium as a high-quality venue delivering for professional sporting codes from its ideal location just outside Sydney,” Mr Murphy said.
Central Coast Mayor Lisa Matthews said the announcement offered significant benefits for the local economy.
“The decision to support the New Zealand Warriors training sessions will help to restimulate local employment across many skill sectors which we welcome for many businesses on the Coast,” she said.
The Warriors have played three times in Gosford, the last a 32-28 golden point win over the Sydney Roosters in 2016. In 2013 they lost 12-27 to Manly, while in 2001 they beat the Northern Eagles 24-16.
