RUGBY LEAGUE: Following the success of the Canberra Raiders homecoming NRL pre-season trial match against the Newcastle Knights in February, Queanbeyan City Council will enter into discussions with the Canberra Raiders for another pre-season trial at Seiffert Oval in 2016.
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Councillor Kenrick Winchester moved the motion this week to approach the Raiders for a second trial. He said if an agreement could not be reached with the local side Council will contact other NRL clubs and determine their interest in hosting a trial match at Seiffert Oval.
"Last time the Raiders approached us so we made it happen- Melbourne Storm are showing some interest [for next year]," he said.
Close to 7,000 spectators filled Seiffert Oval on February 21, the first time Queanbeyan has hosted pro-level League since the Raiders moved to Canberra in the late 1980s.
With the local ground in top condition thanks to an ongoing $1.1 million upgrade, football fans and players alike reported a positive game day experience, albeit a bit in the dark.
Cr Winchester said Council is in the process of identifying a plan of management for the oval, which will address the further upgrades that will need to be made to the Oval before the trial, lighting in particular.
"The ground isn't ready yet to hold an NRL premiership game, but we're looking to get an audit by the NRL, so we can get it to a level where we can host premiership matches," he said.
Cr Winchester hoped next year's match will exceed the numbers of the inaugural Raiders Seiffert Oval trail match.
"It rained just before kick off last year, which might have kept some people away, so hopefully we get more spectators to the next one," he said.
"It gets people talking about Queanbeyan and rugby league fans from Canberra and the surrounds come to watch, which is great for the area."
Raiders' media manager Ben Pollack said the club had been impressed with the quality of the facilities in February, and said the club would look for opportunities to play further trial matches in Queanbeyan.
"We thought it was great to be honest. From all reports, the players really enjoyed the experience. We'd love to be able to take another game there in the future," Mr Pollack said.
"The work that's gone into the ground is fantastic. They probably just need to fix a few little things up, probably investigate the possibility of getting some better lighting for the ground if we're going to have a night game there next time.
"But it's definitely now ready to host a number of events, including Raiders games. That's something we're definitely keen to do again in a trial match sense- probably not a competition game; we've got a commitment to [GIO Stadium]."