A milestone sporting event is resulting in many groundbreaking moments for Wollongong, Shellharbour and Kiama.
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Among the many firsts associated with the first Super League Game held outside Europe at WIN Stadium on February 10 was a lunch on the playing surface on Friday. More than 100 business people and civic leaders gathered on the ground just weeks before Elton John takes centre stage in the same location in front of 20,000 people on September 24.
The lunch with representatives from Wigan Warriors coincided with tickets going on sale to members of the Saint George Illawarra Dragons on Friday. They will then go on sale to the general public through Ticketmaster on Tuesday.
Destination Wollongong general manager Mark Sleigh said Friday’s event celebrated the growing relationship between Wollongong and Wigan. Among those present were Rugby League greats such as Australia’s Mick Cronin and England’s Harvey Howard.
Mr Sleigh said the lunch capped a great week involving a visit by Wigan Warriors Rugby director Kris Radlinksi, commercial manager Dan Burton and video production manager Stewart Frodsham who said tickets were also on sale in northern England and many fans from both clubs have been buying them.
They said that in itself will create a great atmosphere on February 10.
Mr Sleigh said the week also involved the announcement that Hull FC will base itself at Kiama leading into the game.
The Illawarra business community is right behind the event because it sees opportunities for broad-ranging economic development.
Mr Sleigh said with so many enthusiastic Wigan and Hull supporters planning to come to a sporting event of such magnitude at such a picturesque stadium setting right next to the beach “the atmosphere is going to be electric”.
Mr Radlinksi said there were many aspects to such a history creating game of rugby league.
“In the lead-up to the match we will be teaming with Hull and the St George Illawarra Dragons to hold training camps with schools and clubs and share some of our knowledge and skills,” he said.
“Members of our teams and coaching staff will be travelling throughout the Illawarra engaging with current and next generation players.”