Allianz Stadium opening: Arthur Beetson unveiled on grandstand following The Daily Telegraph campaign
Originally snubbed from Allianz Stadium’s naming plans, Arthur Beetson was immortalised on the $900 million venue’s grandstands following a lengthy The Daily Telegraph campaign.
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When the Sydney Roosters run onto Allianz Stadium on Friday week the players will look proudly towards the grandstands knowing the name of an Indigenous sporting icon – and one of their own — will be there with them.
And it’s very much thanks to readers of The Daily Telegraph.
Arthur Beetson, Roosters legend and league Immortal, was originally to be snubbed in the naming of greats honoured inside Sydney’s new $900 million venue.
A Daily Telegraph campaign forced the State Government to overturn the decision.
Beetson was a Roosters premiership-winning captain and the first Indigenous man to captain an Australian sporting team.
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No doubt South Sydney Rabbitohs stars Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker will also be inspired by the significance of Beetson’s honour with his name alongside the great Ron Coote.
Big Artie played for the Roosters between 1971 and 1978 at the old Sydney Sports Ground, winning two grand finals as captain next door on the SCG in 1974 and 1975.
He also coached the club for six years and there is no bigger name in the game’s history.
Roosters supremo Nick Politis applauded the decision.
“Artie is a Roosters legend and an Indigenous icon,” Politis said.
“We are extremely proud to have both his and Ron Coote’s name on the stand.”
The Daily Telegraph revealed in February that Beetson had been overlooked.
Outspoken former NRL and boxing champion Anthony Mundine slammed the original decision.
“Everyone looked up to Artie Beetson,” Mundine said. “The impact he had on the game was just insane.
“His legacy will live on forever and he needs to be recognised.
“It’s really disappointing because we were making progress. It’s more fashionable these days to stand up for the plight of Aboriginal people. And then this happens.”
THE LEGENDARY NAMES TO GRACE NEW STADIUM
- Fatima Kdouh
Rugby league is in Ron Coote’s blood and now a part of the South Sydney and Roosters great will adorn the Australian sporting landscape forever.
Coote will be honoured alongside former Tricolours teammate and Immortal Arthur Beetson on the “Ring of Champions” at the new Allianz Stadium, which opens to the public this weekend.
The revered names of Coote, Beetson, Socceroos legend Johnny Warren, Wallabies revolutionary Nick Shehadie and Olympic champion Betty Cuthbert will grace the concourse at the venue.
“It’s is in my blood and to achieve this after dedicating my life to the thing I love most, rugby league is special. I’m happy and I’m honoured,” Coote said.
“Artie was a great player, a great leader. I played a lot of football with him and for us to be in that stand together, that’s something that makes me very proud.”
Beetson was originally to be snubbed in the naming of the stands but a Daily Telegraph campaign forced the NSW government to overturn the decision.
Beetson skippered the Roosters to back-to-back premierships in 1974 and 1975 and was the first Indigenous man to captain an Australian sporting team.
To his son Brad Beetson, the recognition of his father is a chance not only to grow his legacy but inspire young Indigenous athletes for years to come. His name will come up at all events, not just football, and hopefully that will influence more people for generations to come.
“It continues his legacy, he was part of the Roosters for over 20 years, it was his life … coaching, playing, recruiting,” he said.
“He captained the Roosters and was chaired off the ground after they won the final in 1975 next door at the SCG, he is part of the fabric of this place.”
The Ron Coote Cup will usher in a new era of the NRL at Allianz Stadium when fierce rivals the Rabbitohs and Roosters clash on Friday, September 2.
While Coote’s heart was filled with pride at Thursday’s honour, his heart will be split down the middle next week.
“I’m not going to answer that question, no comment,” Coote joked when asked who he would barrack for.
“I played in nine grand finals and won six … I won four with Souths and two with the Roosters ... so I can’t choose but I can’t wait to see Latrell Mitchell and James Tedesco play.”
Known as the Golden Girl of Australian track and field, Cuthbert is the only female athlete to be honoured at Allianz Stadium.
But Venues NSW chairman Tony Shepherd said that was set to change.
“The Ring of Champions is a modern solution for a modern stadium, so it will reflect the changing nature of the sports that draw people to our venues, including the rise of elite women’s team sport that is driving so much interest and excitement,” he said.
Originally published as Allianz Stadium opening: Arthur Beetson unveiled on grandstand following The Daily Telegraph campaign
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