Media release – Miriam Beswick and Rebekah Pentland MHAs, 28 January 2025
HURRICANES’ BIG BASH VICTORY HIGHLIGHTS NINJA STADIUM AS A PREMIER SPORTING VENUE
Northern independents Miriam Beswick and Rebekah Pentland say the Hurricanes’ stunning Big Bash triumph is a reminder that Ninja Stadium can more than hold its own as a venue for premium sporting events.
“Bellerive is a terrific venue. It’s now hosted men’s and women’s Ashes matches and a Big Bash final. The pictures of the ground that were beamed around the world last night were stunning,” Mrs Pentland said.
“It’s proof that it would serve the state well as a secondary AFL venue while the case for a new stadium is built and Tasmania’s budget is repaired.
“7 home matches at York Park and 4 at Bellerive is the right mix for Tasmania’s first seasons in the AFL.
“I’m not fundamentally opposed to a new stadium being built in Hobart but it shouldn’t be forced on us, the case should be made first.
“The Gruen Report confirmed that the AFL strong-armed Tasmania into an in unbalanced deal.”
Braddon independent Miriam Beswick says the Hurricanes have reminded everyone that Bellerive still has a lot to offer as a sporting venue.
“Last night’s Big Bash spectacle proves that new infrastructure should not be a barrier for entry for a Tasmanian team,” Mrs Beswick said.
“We’ve got two excellent venues and a sport-loving community ready to embrace a team.
“Let’s kick things off at the two existing venues and consider a new stadium when the budget is healthier, and the case has been properly made.”
Mike
January 29, 2025 at 07:36
Golly, you guys are clueless!
You won’t get weather days like that in July, and you won’t get crowds like that when it’s raining and windy.
Peter Gugger
January 29, 2025 at 07:58
What? Bellerive the secondary venue?
People who push for York Park as the primary venue, or worse, namely that the Devils be based in Launceston, have no idea what it will take to establish and maintain a successful AFL team. This is not about parochialism but rather the fact that the team must be based in the state capital where the majority of its games will be played.
Despite Launceston’s many charms it doesn’t have the cachet* to attract the young draftees from interstate that we are going to need. It’s already going to be hard enough for Hobart to provide the right environment for these high profile sportsmen to blend into the community. Can you imagine what it’ll be like to have a squad of 45 predominantly young men rattling around in Launceston?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
* Cachet is the state of being respected or admired. Prestige.
– www
Gerald Fittock
January 29, 2025 at 12:30
I see you’ve kicked off your election campaign already …
Doug Bruce
January 31, 2025 at 08:51
It’s notable that the two MPs featured in this article hail from the north as Tasmanian parochialism comes to the fore once again.
Anyone who genuinely wants Tasmania to have a successful AFL franchise, and who has looked at all the issues, understands that our team must be based in the south, adjacent to the CBD/waterfront where there are lots of restaurants, bars and accommodation. They also understand that a roofed stadium, like Docklands in Melbourne, is a necessity.
Roderick
January 31, 2025 at 22:09
‘To attract young draftees from interstate’.
I was incorrect when I assumed the proposed Tasmanian team may be comprised of Tasmanians ..
… ‘Hard enough for Hobart to provide the right environment for these high profile sportsmen to blend into the community’.
… ‘Can you imagine what it’ll be like to have a squad of 45 predominantly young men rattling around in Launceston?’
Considering the many reported incidents of drug and alcohol abuse, and violence to men and women, I would be more than pleased to not see a pack of mindless bogans rattling around the streets of Hobart either. Mind you, their potential behaviour would probably blend in with that of the worst Tasmanians.