The Wests Tigers have a limited time, up to 90 days, to secure funding to preserve their historic home ground at Leichhardt Oval. They have issued a warning, stating they may have to leave the venue if adequate funding is not secured.
The Tigers’ CEO, Shane Richardson, and Inner West Council Mayor, Darcy Byrne, have urged NSW Premier Chris Minns to redirect a portion of the funding allocated to Penrith’s stadium upgrade towards Leichhardt Oval.
Despite hosting various sporting events, including A-League and NRL matches, as well as serving as a training venue for the Women’s World Cup, Leichhardt Oval has not received any state government funding for upgrades in a long time, according to Byrne.
The Wests Tigers have highlighted the urgent need for development at the iconic Leichhardt Oval.
The club has expressed frustration, comparing the lack of funding for Leichhardt Oval to the lavish upgrades at Penrith’s stadium, questioning why one venue has gold-plated urinals while the other is facing closure due to neglect. Currently, Leichhardt Oval is unable to host NRL double-headers for men’s and women’s matches due to inadequate change rooms.
The current state of Leichhardt Oval is far from ideal, with long queues for refreshments and outdated corporate and media facilities compared to other venues in Sydney. While Tigers CEO Shane Richardson appreciates the charm of the venue, he believes it is not suitable for modern needs.
The Tigers currently split their home games between Campbelltown and Leichhardt, with the latter hosting their season opener, a victory over Cronulla in front of almost 16,000 fans. Richardson has warned that if they do not receive a commitment for upgrades within the next three months, they may have to leave Leichhardt Oval altogether.
Richardson’s approach is bold, as he has a history of making tough decisions for the benefit of the clubs he leads. During his time at South Sydney, he relocated the club from the Sydney Football Stadium to Homebush due to what he perceived as an unfavorable deal.
Richardson mentioned that the Tigers have received offers from various venues to host their games, indicating a willingness to explore all options for the club’s future.
He emphasized that this decision is not a threat but a reflection of the club’s ambition to become a top-four team. Richardson also expressed some skepticism about the lavishness of Penrith’s stadium upgrade, noting that Leichhardt Oval’s needs should not be overlooked in favor of extravagant facilities elsewhere.
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