Dubbo NRL: Souths, Penrith match economic benefits revealed

Rugby league matches taken to regional NSW have delivered millions in economic stimulus to communities and the benefits extend beyond the financial injection.

Communities across regional NSW are getting millions of dollars in economic benefits by hosting a growing number of NRL matches as the code looks to boost interest in grassroots bush footy.

Earlier this year Dubbo hosted an NRL game for the first time between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and Penrith Panthers at Apex Oval, with a sellout crowd of almost 11,000 people cheering from the sidelines.

Dubbo Regional Council estimates $2.4 million was generated for the area through accomodation and visitors spending money in town over the weekend.

The council had originally estimated the cost of hosting the match would be about $370,000, excluding in-kind support, however with $150,000 from the state government and more cash from corporate sponsors, the organisation estimated it spent just $28,000 on hosting the game, without taking in-kind support into account.

Homegrown talent turned NRL star Matt Burton scores for the Panthers in Dubbo. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

“Economic benefits are estimated to be $2.4 million, which included a four-year high for May in accommodation, with an occupancy rate of 86.8 per cent,” council’s culture and economy director Natasha Comber told The Dubbo News.

“Considering numbers had to be capped at 11,000 to be in line with public health orders at the time, these economic benefits are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the future potential of NRL events in the region.”

More than 200,000 people watched the Dubbo match at home on Fox Sports. (Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

According to council documents, almost 2500 people travelled more than 150 kilometres to visit Dubbo for the match, including from Sydney, the central coast and Newcastle. Foot traffic in Dubbo’s CBD also increased by 70 per cent on the day of the match.

In addition to the financial benefits, 2800 Dubbo school students got to take part in football clinics with ex-players and officials from the South Cares program run by Souths, who last year signed a two-year deal with Dubbo council to host two of their home games in the regional centre.

🐰 SOUTH SYDNEY Vs PENRITH 🐾 Dubbo hosted its first NRL game at Apex Oval on 23 May attracting a sell-out crowd of...

Posted by Dubbo Region Events on Monday, August 23, 2021

Similar arrangements have been put in place between other clubs and councils in Wagga, Mudgee, Tamworth, Bathurst and Coffs Harbour where NRL matches were either played this year, or due to be played but abandoned because of Covid.

The Mid-Western Regional Council estimates $1.3 million was spent by visitors who travelled to Mudgee to see the Manly Sea Eagles and Gold Coast Titans battle it out in April at Glen Willow Stadium.

“It’s not just the economic value these games bring to our region, the social benefits are invaluable,” Mayor Des Kennedy said.

“While the economic impacts are absolutely fantastic, it is also great for local kids and families to have this kind of opportunity.

“The Sea Eagles really took on Mudgee and Glen Willow as their adopted homeground. The players and the club staff were fantastic, giving their time for kids football clinics and open training sessions where fans could see and talk with their heroes face-to-face.”

Dubbo MP Dugald Saunders at an NRL match in Mudgee. Picture: Facebook

It was a similar story in the Riverina when Wagga hosted a Canberra Raiders home game against the Newcastle Knights in May at McDonald’s Park.

A Wagga council spokeswoman said pre-Covid in 2019, an NRL match played in the city attracted more than 10,000 people and generated $2 million in economic benefits.

“The crowd for the 2021 match was restricted due to Covid, with an attendance of 6642 and on this basis the estimated economic benefit was approximately $1.3 million,” she said.

“The financial arrangements between council and Raiders are commercial in confidence. As part of the agreement with the Raiders the ticket revenue is retained by council.”

Great turn out today Wagga Wagga for the big NRL clash between Canberra Raiders and Newcastle Knights. Here's a snapshot of the action

Posted by City of Wagga Wagga on Saturday, May 8, 2021

The NRL is reportedly throwing its weight behind a push to bring even more games to regional communities, in a bid to increase interest in grassroots rugby league.

As part of a $1.5 million rescue package, The Daily Telegraph has reported every NRL club will be expected to take on a ‘big brother’ type role to help grow interest in rugby league at a grassroots level in regional areas.

Clubs will also be expected to take at least one ‘home’ game to their designated regional area every season.

The package has been developed in response to concerns over the inability of a growing of number of regional towns to field teams in local league competitions which have shrunk in size in recent years.