AFL NAB Cup match at Eureka to have big benefits

THE flow-on effects from next year's AFL NAB Cup fixture at Eureka Stadium will be massive for Ballarat, says tourism groups.Victorian Tourism Industry Council chairman Jeremy Johnson, who is the chief executive of Sovereign Hill, was thrilled North Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs would play on the Begonia Festival weekend."AFL focus on Ballarat will be great publicity. The AFL is the biggest game in town, so for Ballarat to be able to hitch a tourism message onto that is great," he said."It gives us a critical mass of activity, which can only be positive."Mr Johnson said the television exposure the match would generate was significant."The imagery of Ballarat gets broadcast. There's great interest in these pre-season games, particularly now we have got the new clubs in. It's the start of the new football season so all eyes turn towards it," he said.Ballarat Tourist Association chairman Craig Holloway hoped the clash may become an annual fixture, run during the Begonia Festival weekend."I'd say that there are opportunities for cross promotion with the aim of attracting AFL supporters and their extended families to stay one or two nights and experience the Begonia Festival, as well as the NAB Cup game."Follow @chrissymonal