Allia and League seek to bring International action to Perth

Chris Egan • Saturday 3rd November 2007

Allia Venue Management and Rugby League WA are committed to bringing Rugby League to Members Equity Stadium, despite the failure of securing a Rugby World Cup game, losing out to Townsville.

Austadiums.com understands there's a strong likelihood that Leeds Rhinos will play South Sydney Rabitohs at the Stadium in February next year. 

As part of a wide ranging interview with Allia, Peter Bauchop, the CEO of Allia Venue Management who runs Members Equity Stadium, gave an indication that the size of the venue and the bid had cost them the ability to secure a World Cup game, despite it being the preference of the ARL.

"Townsville had a 28,000 seat stadium and we had a 20,000 seat stadium. Townsville offered $150,000 more then what we did. Allia and Members Equity Bank committed $100,000 to the bid...unfortunately the bid was not enough"

"A Rugby League spokesperson said to me that they really wanted to go to Perth and it was the first choice, but the reality was that we live in a commercial world and that they had to go with the higher bidder".

Austadiums.com understands that Eventscorp is a leading reason why many bids are faltering including the Rugby League World Cup game, because of a lack of desire for the state government to competitively fund events at MES against other venues, which have a larger capacity or offer more money. Including the Socceroos game against Kuwait, faltering because of a lack of funding being offered by the State Government branch of Eventscorp.

Bauchop said that the relationship between Allia and Rugby League WA had progressed significantly in the past 18 months and that the profile of Members Equity Stadium had been significantly lifted. 

"Rugby League now want to be at Members Equity...we have a very good relationship with them"

"They have recognised some of the issues regarding the demise of the Western Reds was that it was not at a rectangular venue".

Bauchop confirmed that they are looking at an international Rugby League match for next year, which is more then likely to be between Leeds and South Sydney. 

"I have just been in London and I have talked to the London Broncos. I understand that WARL have been in contact with Leeds. We have literally gone to everyone to get someone to play. We will be doing everything we can to get a game over here."

HBF Park

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Allia Venue Management and Rugby League WA are committed to bringing Rugby League to Members Equity Stadium, despite the failure of securing a Rugby World Cup game, losing out to Townsville.
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