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Over two years ago RugbyWA was in a frantic bidding war with the Australian Rugby Union in an attempt to get the fourth “Super” Franchise to Perth. They were up against the might of the sports loving capital of Australia; Melbourne, Victoria. Now it could be argued that one of the reasons for the RugbyWA bid being successful was the promise of the Western Australian State Government to throw $20 Million at Members Equity Stadium to make it suitable for Super14 Rugby.
But, another argument would be the number of Perth based rugby supporters who got together to show some people power. This was the supporter’s way of showing the ARU that they loved their Rugby so much here in this apparent Australian Rules football stronghold that they were willing to take some time out to show what people power is all about.
I think its time once again. But this time we are going to need some more help.
Living on the other side of Australia I get the impression that whilst there is a strong passion not only for the Western Force in Western Australia, there is also a passion for Western Australian Rugby as well. The other impression I get is that the State Government is of the belief that Western Australia is a one sport state. Unfortunately as much as we don’t like it, that one sport is not our beloved Rugby Union.
People power is what is needed, but we are going to need to become friends with some people that we may not see eye to eye with. My point is this – the development of Members Equity Stadium is not just for Rugby Union, other Western Australian Sports, and the wider Western Australian Community will benefit from it as well. This wider benefit is what we need to demonstrate to the State Government of Western Australia.
Western Force home games, Perth Spirit home games are only the beginning for the newly developed Members Equity Stadium. Perth Glory home games. The Finals of both the Western Australian Rugby Union and Soccer (sorry, Football) Top grades, not to mention Western Australian Rugby League and American Football (Gridiron). But what about Stadium sized rock concerts, surely there are more then just Rugby Union fans that are desperate for the redevelopment of Members Equity Stadium.
If we could get all of these fans at Members Equity at the one time shouldn’t the State Government of Western Australia stand up and take note of the number of voters that are desperately keen for this redevelopment of Members Equity Stadium. If the Governing bodies of all the above mentions sports could come together to present a united front that would show that WAFL bickering of a white elephant of a stadium that hasn’t even been allocated a location let alone the dollars to build it.
Its time the non-AFL sporting fans stood up and said with one voice, I am Thirty Five Thousand.