BY STAFF WRITERS

Campbelltown MP Greg Warren has hit back at Wests Tigers’ intention to build a Centre of Excellence at Concord after Labor candidate for Reid, Sam Crosby, guaranteed $5 million from the federal government for the development if elected.

“This a terrific day for Wests Tigers,” Wests Tigers chairman Barry O’Farrell said at the announcement in early April.

But Warren was quick to point out Wests Tigers had their opportunity to plant themselves in Campbelltown at Western Sydney University in 2016 when the deputy prime minister Julie Bishop pledged $15 million to the site.

You can read Mr. Warren’s full statement to the81stminute.com below:

“I applaud federal Labor for advocating for a Centre of Excellence but I also understand and share the disappointment of Campbelltown’s loyal and passionate base of Wests Tigers fans.

“I have been a strong advocate for the Campbelltown Centre of Excellence, and it would have been great to see the Wests Tigers adopt that centre as their base.

“Labor at all levels remains committed to a Sports and Health Centre of Excellence in Campbelltown, and increasing interest and participation in sport in general in the Macarthur region.

“Many Wests Tigers fans in Campbelltown and the wider Macarthur region have become frustrated and disillusioned with the club’s decisions in recent years.

“Macarthur is one of the fastest growing region’s in the state yet very few games are played at the local stadium. In fact, only three games will be played at Campbelltown Stadium in 2019, yet there are five games that will be played at the new Parramatta stadium – in the heart of Eels territory.

“The trip from Campbelltown to Parramatta isn’t particularly easy either since the Liberal state government cut direct services from Campbelltown to Parramatta.

“In fact, if you look at the last eight years, the NSW Government has done very little to actually promote the growth of rugby league in Campbelltown and the wider Macarthur.

“The Premier and her colleagues would rather waste billions of dollars upgrading a perfectly good stadium in Sydney instead.

“I can understand why Campbelltown-based Wests Tigers fans would be angered and frustrated by the decision, but the club has made its bed so it will have to lie in it as well.”