The annual Charity Shield between South Sydney and St George Illawarra or an NRL Premiership match are the two proposed options for Scully Park to host in 2018, The Northern Daily Leader has learned.
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The teams that would play the premiership game have not been locked in.
Group 4 president Mick Schmiedel favours a competition game which guarantees both clubs would field their best possible teams but he also understands not knowing which teams would play in Tamworth comes with a risk.
“It’s a catch 22. The Charity Shield has some importance in it but it’s not always the best players playing. In a competition game, you’ll have all the big guns here,” he said.
“The Charity Shield is gaining more and more importance but a comp game with something on offer is a pretty big attraction.
“They’d have to be mindful. If you have Newcastle playing the Titans, Broncos or Rabbitohs, there’ll be a crowd. Knights are local, Broncos and Rabbitohs have big supporter bases and I’m led to believe the Titans are trying to get into the area.
“But if it’s Manly playing Canberra, you’re probably not going to get anyone down there.”
While Schmiedel backs bringing NRL teams to Tamworth “100 per cent” he said paramount to the visit would be enabling development opportunities for local players and coaches.
“I think rather than having those clubs go to schools and do a sausage sizzle, they should do some sort of development work in the area,” Schmiedel said.
“Development days across the board, not just players but coaches as well.
“Say if Des Hasler is in town with his NRL squad, it’s an opportunity to put something back into rugby league and give back to the bush coaches.”
