And it’s a match which will further cement the reputation of Mars Stadium as one of regional Victoria’s best multi-purpose venues according to Mayor Samantha McIntosh.

As the holes for the uprights were dug in the oval on Monday morning, Cr McIntosh took the opportunity to discuss to continued and future usage of the Creswick Road venue.

Just two days after hosting the first AFL match of the season, an AFLW practice match between the Western Bulldogs and Collingwood, the new look arena for the upcoming Super Rugby pre-season match against the Queensland Reds was taking shape.

Cr McIntosh said it was important the stadium hosted a mixture of professional and community events going forward.

“These poles are being created as permanent footings so we can host rugby here in Ballarat,” Cr McIntosh said.

“We know that this stadium has initially been hosting AFL football, but our goal is to make sure the stadium is able to be the best possible and to do that we need to have other sporting events here.

“As people know, we’ve just had a women’s footy match here, we’ve had the carols event here and after some of the football matches we’ve had the kick-to-kick on the oval as well.

“The opportunity needs to be as broad as it can be. We need to make sure we have the infrastructure to host a variety of sports that will inspire women as well as men.

“In Ballarat we don’t as yet have a women’s rugby club and our goal is to ensure that there is every bit of inspiration in order to promote the opportunities that exist.”

Cr McIntosh said the new markings would allow for permanent rugby matches to be played at the venue with the council recently signing a three-year partnership with the Rebels to play at the ground.

“Our goal is to broaden this as a community space. We know if we provide the right inspiration and put on stage the right level of competition, that will build up our participation rates in the local community,” she said.

“Other sports (such as soccer) will be discussed going forward. We are over the moon at the opportunities the AFL has provided us, but we know there is much more potential for use.

“We wouldn’t have built a facility of $21 million just for community use, it was important we entice the bigger games, AFL, rugby, soccer and other games which will all be of great benefit to us and they need a particular type of oval. This is it, this is the stadium for elite level sports.”

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