AFL NSW/ACT MEDIA RELEASE
Coffs Harbour will hold its first elite AFL match since 2003 next year as part of the NAB Challenge series.
In the third week of the NAB Challenge, March 11 to 12, Coffs Harbour will welcome two elite AFL clubs to the Coffs Harbour International Stadium.
AFL State Manager - NSW/ACT Development Simon Laughton said the AFL is pleased to see AFL return to Coffs Harbour since the Sydney Swans took on Carlton in 2003.
"The 2011 NAB Challenge series will be spread wider than ever before with Coffs Harbour chosen to host a match for the first time since 2003 which is indicative of the AFL's commitment to grow the game in Northern NSW," Laughton said.
"The NAB Challenge provides a fantastic opportunity for the community to come along and watch first-class football in their own backyard.
"With the premier sporting oval and the increased community involvement in AFL it always seemed fitting for the AFL to return to Coffs Harbour.
"Coffs Harbour has seen tremendous growth in recent years and the event will be a must-watch activity the whole family can enjoy. The AFL is looking forward to the match and seeing professional football in Northern NSW again."
AFL Chief Operating Officer Gillon McLachlan said the AFL is committed to taking games to all parts of Australia.
"The AFL has had a clear charter in the NAB Cup, but particularly in the NAB Challenge, to take matches to all parts of the country that don't normally get the opportunity to see top-level football during the regular season," Mr McLachlan said.
National Australia Bank's Group Executive, Corporate Affairs and Marketing, Andrew Hagger, said NAB was delighted that the NAB Cup and NAB Challenge would again extend to reach many Australian communities.
"The ability to take the AFL to thousands of people around the country who don't often get a chance to experience the footy is one of the features of the competition most significant to NAB," Mr Hagger said.
"The opportunity this competition offers young players to realise their potential, and test themselves at the elite level, is also really important to us," he said.
For more information or for interviews please contact AFL NSW/ACT Jordan Laing on 0422 074 191.
The indicative weekends for matches in the NAB Challenge fixture is as follows:
Week 1 - February 25-26, 2011
Alice Springs, Manuka Oval (unless scheduled for a NAB Cup match in this week) and South Australia, plus two Victorian venues tbc
Week 2 - March 4-5
Southport, Lavington, Bunbury and Shepparton, plus three Victorian venues tbc
Week 3 - March 11-12
Coffs Harbour, North Ballarat, Thebarton Oval and Aurora Stadium, plus one NSW venue and two Victorian venues tbc.
Last Modified on 17/12/2010 18:28