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We were all told to ‘Think Big Ballarat’ when we wanted stadium facilities capable of hosting an AFL game for premiership points.
It remains an ambitious mission, on track to unfold next year, reinforced by a Western Bulldogs commitment to bring their game to Eureka Stadium for the next five years.
Now the Bulldogs are playing in an AFL grand final and the whole Ballarat game changes. This is a dynamic outfit, winning admiration for electrifying contests.
Whatever happens on Saturday afternoon at the MCG, the enormity of the Bulldogs reaching an AFL grand final adds hype and creates greater potential for Ballarat.
It is crucial now to ‘Think Bigger Ballarat’.
What could this all mean for Ballarat?
Western Bulldogs head of development Chris Maple, a Ballarat local, says increased AFL exposure on our doorstep benefits the whole of western Victoria in football development and access to the game’s highest level.
City of Ballarat chief executive officer Justine Linley likened the effects to a “gold rush” – the right team at the right time for our city. A point reinforced by Ballarat’s tourism chief Neville Dempsey, who said the flow-on would be a boost in profile to Ballarat as a sporting and tourism destination.
North Ballarat chairman Jenny Bromley and Bulldogs’ Ballarat engagement manager Brett Goodes have each said the stadium’s redeveloped facilities alone would offer an incredible experience for all footballers – Victorian Football League, TAC Cup and the grass roots game.
This city has never experienced life with a boutique outdoor stadium, complete with a grandstand to seat 5000 roaring fans and at least 6000 more in the outer.
We will have the chance to stand in the ground’s centre, where one of the AFL’s best team will make home, and feel the vibe.
Think, Ballarat, of the added event potential this stadium could bring in sports, entertainment, sports science and functions.
Look down the road to Geelong’s Kardinia Park for inspiration. The Cattery has rapidly modernised the past decade and will soon hold more than three times the capacity of Eureka, but it started far simpler.
And when the AFL is in town, the whole city almost stops. Floodgates are unleashed at the final siren with fans seeking food and celebrations across the whole region. The greater the Cats’ win, the more festive the locals.
We want a strong, successful team that will draw strong crowds to our city. We want people to know the Bulldogs are proud to call Ballarat part of their pack, a key point on their expanded western front.
This is a club that last week captured the Victorian Football League premiership under its Footscray branding, proving there is plenty of promising potential pushing up and reinforcing the ranks and club future.
Western Bulldogs will bring the magic. We just need to be sure we are ready to unleash more than the ‘Dogs on our turf. This is more than just a few games now. This is a chance for Ballarat to really make a big impact.