Nearly 110 years ago South Sydney Rabbitohs played their first rugby league match, fittingly, against North Sydney at Birchgrove Oval.
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More than a century later the Rabbitohs are bound for Central Coast Stadium to play against the Canberra Raiders in Round 7 of the NRL.
Tickets for the blockbuster clash in Gosford are now on sale, with prices starting at $25 for adults, $10 for juniors and $50 for family passes.
It’s a stadium that the Rabbitohs relish playing at, and the club CEO Blake Solly knows how much it means to take rugby league matches to the coast.
“I'm originally from the Central Coast and I understand how much the community in and around the Central Coast region love Rugby League,” Solly said.
“It's this passion for the game from the local people that has me and the rest of our Club really excited about bringing the NRL back to Gosford in 2018.”
Although the Rabbitohs play most of their matches in Sydney, either at the SCG or at ANZ Stadium, 10% of their membership currently reside on the Central Coast, and Solly understands they are always eager for more games heading north.
“We have a strong membership base in and around the Central Coast,” he explained. “Central Coast Stadium is an important part of Rabbitohs history.”
“The Club played an exhibition game at the ground the day after it was announced we would be re-instated to the elite competition back in 2001 against the Umina Bunnies, and the celebrations at Central Coast Stadium that day were fantastic.”
The match is penned in for a 3pm kick off on Saturday, April 21, and Central Coast mayor Jane Smith believes the whole region will be looking forward to the match – not least of all due to the rugby league partnership the council has pushed in recent years.
“Central Coast Council has invested $1.9 million in infrastructure upgrades to the Stadium this financial year in our commitment to bring great sporting and other key events to the Central Coast,” Mayor Smith said.
“We have a legion of Rugby League supporters here and a strong Rabbitohs following. The Stadium is the best venue to watch great sport and I strongly encourage our community to get behind and come along to what is sure to be a colossal event.”
Tickets for this game can purchased by calling 132849, by visiting www.ticketek.com.au or by visiting any Ticketek outlet.