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Bunbury City to kick in $35,000 for footy

Tari JeffersSouth Western Times
WAFL...WEST COAST EAGLES V WEST PERTH...West Perth's Rudy Riddoch heandballs cleanly as West Coast's Josh Smith moves in, watched by team mate Chaz Flint.
PICTURE BY NIC ELLIS THE WEST AUSTRALIAN
Camera IconWAFL...WEST COAST EAGLES V WEST PERTH...West Perth's Rudy Riddoch heandballs cleanly as West Coast's Josh Smith moves in, watched by team mate Chaz Flint. PICTURE BY NIC ELLIS THE WEST AUSTRALIAN Credit: The West Australian

Bunbury City Council this week approved spending $35,000 to support a WA Football League double header fixture in May.

After the proposal gained initial approval at the agenda briefing last week, councillors on Tuesday night voted on an amended recommendation.

The cost to host the game in Bunbury includes accommodation, match fees, transport and broadcasting costs. The council’s contribution will help see the game being broadcast to a big TV audience, helping to promote Bunbury as a tourism destination.

Bunbury Deputy Mayor Jaysen Miguel said the regional fixture would be an exciting event for the community and local football clubs.

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“The West Australian Football Commission sees Bunbury as a suitable location for a regional fixture — that alone is a big win for our wonderful city and our sporting clubs,” he said.

“A WAFL and WAFLW double header at Hands Oval, which is in exceptional playing condition, will be a major drawcard to get visitors to Bunbury while also providing yet another great sporting event for our local community.”

The council’s amended recommendation on Tuesday also enabled Bunbury chief executive Mal Osborne to negotiate with the WAFC to seek first right of refusal for Bunbury to host one regional WAFL/WAFLW game each year for the next three years.

Western Australian Football Commission executive manager WAFL and football operations Scott Baker thanked the City of Bunbury, South West Football League, Swan Districts, the West Coast Eagles and Peel Thunder for making the fixture possible, as well as WAFL naming rights partners Optus.

“The South West has been a terrific breeding ground for football talent over the years and it’s really important we continue rewarding this and encouraging growth and development in the area.” Mr Baker said.

“We hope that showcasing these games in Bunbury will encourage a new generation of local boys and girls to pick up a football and become the WAFL and WAFLW players of the future.”

It is expected the fixture will attract a crowd of 4000 people.

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