World rugby league superpower Wigan will play host to Hull FC at Wollongong’s WIN Stadium on February 10.

It will be the feature of a trip which will see the UK clubs spend over a week in the Illawarra and South Coast, hosting school clinics and engaging in community events.

Here’s a breakdown to what some of the key stakeholders had to say in response

“This announcement is one of the most innovative and exciting in the history of Wigan Rugby League Club. Director, Kris Radlinski, together with Commercial Sales Manager, Dan Burton, has been in negotiations with key stakeholders both in Australia and the UK over the last 12 months, delicately pulling together this complex agreement.

“The opportunities to create new and increased core business from sponsorships and partnerships together with Wigan brand development, the increased profile with NRL players and opportunity for our fans makes this the biggest single commercial contract in the history of the Club.

“The Wigan fans are famed for their loyal support as shown when a huge army of supporters travelled to Sydney for the World Club Challenge game with Sydney Roosters in 2014. We firmly believe that the Wigan and Hull fans will be as excited about this venture as we are and we have announced early to allow fans the chance to plan their trip to Australia and, at the same time, to provide clarity on the number of home games for the 2018 season before Season Ticket packages are launched later this year.”

“Not only am I proud this match will be played in Australia’s number one state I am thrilled we have secured these exclusive matches for Wollongong and Sydney. The Illawarra is passionate about rugby league and I am delighted our region will have the enormous honour of hosting the first Super League match ever played in Australia.

“This match will not only excite the community but it will be of enormous benefit to local businesses and I have no doubt fans from right across Australia will get right behind this historic event. The NSW investment in tourism and major events sectors continues to return outstanding results with this event expected to attract 5000 interstate and overseas visitors to NSW injecting more than $7million into the New South Wales economy.

“I firmly believe Wigan and Hull fans will be excited about this venture also and we decided to announce this event early to allow fans the chance to plan their trip to Australia. I met with Wigan representatives as part of a NSW business delegation earlier in the year at the request of the hard-working Destination Wollongong and I pay particular credit to Mark Sleigh for his advocacy and dedication towards this event. It’s going to be a huge, another great victory for our region. Every day I am fighting for initiatives that promote our region and drive investment and jobs, the benefit about this event is we get to have a lot of fun as well.”

“Australia is mad for rugby league and I am thrilled the NSW Government has secured these exclusive matches for Sydney and Wollongong which will drive visitors to both areas.

“The two Super League sides will spend two weeks in the State with the three-match tour expected to attract close to 5,000 interstate and overseas visitors to NSW, injecting more than $7 million into the local visitor economy.

“We have a stellar line-up of rugby league events already scheduled in NSW, with this tour following the 2017 NRL Grand Final in October and Women’s Rugby League World Cup in November and joining Game II of the State of Origin series in the 2018 major events calendar.”

Destination Wollongong General Manager Mark Sleigh said the announcement came with a nice link, given Wollongong’s Deputy Lord Mayor John Dorahy coached the Warriors to Challenge Cup and first division glory in 1993/94.

“There are genuine links between Wigan and Wollongong and at the core of this partnership is the fact it represents two passionate and successful rugby league heartlands,” he said. “Announcing a significant international event as part of our ever-growing major events portfolio is a coup for the region.”

“Wollongong’s love of rugby league is a defining aspect of our sporting culture and to have a giant of the international game making Wollongong its home is a wonderful opportunity. The last time Wigan came to Australia, they brought with them a touring party of 4500 fans, so the overnight visitation will be significant, with pre and post touring options planned to showcase the region’s attractions during the English winter.”

“This is a landmark occasion for the sport of rugby league and an opportunity for Hull FC to play our part in making Super League history.

“Two of the competitions most high profile and best supported clubs will have the opportunity to promote Super League on a global scale, as well as developing solid and long-term international links with tourism stakeholders in New South Wales and Wollongong, another heartland of rugby league.

“We would like to thank the key stakeholders involved and Wigan Warriors for their ambition and forethought in delivering such a unique festival of sport and look forward to making this event a huge success. This is something our fans, our club and the Super League competition can be very proud of.

“There will be a great deal of excitement from fans of both clubs and we’re sure many will want to travel to New South Wales for such an historic occasion, support their team and help showcase all that is good about rugby league in the UK.”