Mayor’s bizarre claim over shoddy ground surface
Despite photographic evidence showing the ground surface to be shoddy and dangerous, Northern Beaches Council mayor Michael Regan has claimed Brookvale Oval is in “top shape.”
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Despite photographic evidence showing the ground surface to be shoddy and dangerous, Northern Beaches Council mayor Michael Regan has claimed Brookvale Oval has a “quality playing field.”
It is a declaration that has quietly stunned officials from Manly, the field’s major tenant.
The Daily Telegraph revealed that Manly, the NSW Waratahs and Sydney FC have all expressed concerns about the substandard playing field.
The Waratahs play Wellington Hurricanes this Saturday night in a Super Rugby match at Brookvale. Manly has a trial against Cronulla on Saturday week with Sydney FC to contest an A-League game at the venue on March 17.
The Daily Telegraph published photographs on Monday, which clearly showed the ground surface was poor through a series of bare patches spread across the playing surface.
“Brookvale Oval is a quality playing field and we are excited to be hosting some top games from a number of codes in the coming months,” Regan said.
“There are a few patches of turf which have died off over summer and it was always our intention to replace them in time for the Waratahs match this weekend.
“We have full confidence the playing surface will be in top shape not just for this game but for all the matches coming up.
“We will continue to liaise with the Waratahs and the other codes this week.”
Manly has been forced to cancel several off-season training sessions at Brookvale for fear of long-term player injury.
When contacted about the ground, Manly coach Des Hasler said: “I know council would be doing everything it can to ensure they maintain the standards necessary for sporting sides to not only participate at Lottoland but to make sure the ground can attract professional sporting sides to the northern beaches and its constituents.”
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Originally published as Mayor’s bizarre claim over shoddy ground surface
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