Ballarat could host Asian Cup internationals
TOM MCILROY
02 Jul, 2012 10:54 PM
INTERNATIONAL soccer matches as part of the Asian Cup competition could be played at Ballarat’s new soccer stadium in 2014, potentially providing a tourism and sporting boost to the city.
Football Federation Victoria chief executive officer Mark Rendell added momentum to the prospect this week, saying the new purpose-built stadium facility at Morshead Park would be considered for training and matches if its pitch was of a suitable standard.
“Ballarat would be a superb location to host visiting Asian national teams as they arrive early to acclimatise and prepare for the AFC Asian Cup in 2015,” Mr Rendell said.
“I understand that the new stadium is planned to be in great shape by then, but much will depend on the quality of the pitch, the standard of media facilities, lighting and the proximity of quality accommodation as well.”
National teams are expected to arrive in Australia up to three weeks before the likely January 9 start to the competition, giving Ballarat the potential to see teams including Japan, China, UAE, India and South Korea training in the city in the lead-up to the tournament.
“If a pre-Asian Cup international friendly were to be broadcast and played in Ballarat, it would attract tens of millions of television viewers and would no doubt put Ballarat on the world sporting stage,” Mr Rendell said.
He said Football Federation Victoria would work with clubs around Victoria to develop proposals for the event.
Ballarat Red Devils vice-president Andrew Burgess said the momentum for internationals in Ballarat could bring enormous benefits.
“This really is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to get football, and more broadly the City of Ballarat, well and truly front and centre in Australia and for that matter Asia,” he said.
“We need to get on the front foot now and start the work, so that we can in two-and-a-half years look back and say we did whatever it took to get this done.”
http://www.thecourier.com.au/news/local/news/general/ballarat-could-host-asian-cup-internationals/2611039.aspx