Three more years of Bulldogs in Ballarat

[bornadog]

link (https://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/news/1034447/three-more-years-of-bulldogs-in-ballarat)

https://resources.westernbulldogs.com.au/photo-resources/2021/11/29/cc41780b-3923-40dd-b018-dbd1a3cb5b75/HERO_291121_Ballarat.jpg?width=952&height=592


The Western Bulldogs will remain a strong presence in the Ballarat region for at least the next three years, after agreeing to extend its partnership with the Victorian Government and the City of Ballarat.

The Bulldogs have been committed to Ballarat at many levels for the last six years, with five of those seasons bringing a total of seven AFL games to Mars Stadium so far.

The Club’s partnership extension with the government and City of Ballarat will bring a further two home games per season to the region, until the end of the 2024 season.

And for the first time, the Club will host an AFLW home-and-away game at Mars Stadium in 2022 as part of a separate arrangement with the City of Ballarat.

Details of that game will be revealed when the League unveils its fixture for the upcoming season.

The Bulldogs’ presence in Ballarat has been as much about bringing elite sport to the region, as it has been about ensuring the Club makes a tangible impact in the community.

Since the beginning of the partnership the Bulldogs have been embedded in Ballarat schools with the Bulldogs Read program proving to be a resounding success, and it has extended its renowned Sons of the West and Daughters of the West programs, and the Youth Leadership Project, into the region.

“We’ve enjoyed an incredibly strong partnership with the Victorian Government and the City of Ballarat over the last six years,” said Bulldogs’ CEO Ameet Bains.

“Ballarat (and the broader region) is our second home, and we are both proud and excited to extend our formal partnership for at least a further three years and honour our long-term commitment to the region.

“Not only has the partnership successfully brought official AFL games to Ballarat’s Mars Stadium, but it has also actively supported visitation to the region and assisted in the facilitation of the Bulldogs’ extensive range of community, school and junior football programs.

“We look forward to now hosting both AFL and AFLW home and away games at Mars Stadium in 2022 and beyond, which will reinforce our year-round presence in Ballarat.

“We would like to thank the State Government and the City of Ballarat for their continued support, and their investment in the sustainability of this long-term partnership.”

State Government Member for Wendouree, Juliana Addison, said: "We’re really excited about this new partnership with the Western Bulldogs – it’s a fantastic result for the Ballarat community and a big win for regional Victoria.

“These games are set to attract thousands of Doggie fans to Mars Stadium and will help to support local jobs and the economy.”

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Daniel Moloney said: “It’s because of this significant partnership with the Western Bulldogs that we can continue to deliver the excitement of AFL and AFLW matches in Ballarat, as well as the range of terrific programs like Sons and Daughters of the West and Bulldogs Read, which make a genuine positive impact on the people of Ballarat.

“We're proud that Mars Stadium’s playing surface has been rated one of the best in the country – a fact that's to the enormous credit of the City of Ballarat staff who carefully maintain this facility throughout the year and the ongoing support of the State Government.”

[Prince Imperial]

I thought a longer deal would probably be struck, but given that at this stage the Andrews government is likely to be re-elected in 12 months time, a further extension shouldn't be an issue.

[Bulldog Joe]

I thought a longer deal would probably be struck, but given that at this stage the Andrews government is likely to be re-elected in 12 months time, a further extension shouldn't be an issue.

An extension of the agreement should not be an issue, regardless of the election.

[Prince Imperial]

An extension of the agreement should not be an issue, regardless of the election.

The Baillieu government did not support the construction of the stadium which led to North looking to Hobart whilst I have never seen any indication of any Conservative support for funding AFL matches there.

I'm very happy to be wrong about the latter; have you heard or read that they will?

[bornadog]

Good to be in Ballarat another three years as we build our membership in the west of Victoria.

I actually enjoy going to games there, it is slowly becoming a fortress for us.

[GVGjr]

Good to be in Ballarat another three years as we build our membership in the west of Victoria.

I actually enjoy going to games there, it is slowly becoming a fortress for us.

I really enjoy the venture there and the games even when we had that shocking weather.
Takes me back to a time when visiting the Western Oval was challenging :)

[bornadog]

I really enjoy the venture there and the games even when we had that shocking weather.
Takes me back to a time when visiting the Western Oval was challenging :)

That was the only one I missed there :D

[GVGjr]

That was the only one I missed there :D

At the first quarter there were 12 seats taken were I was sitting, 2nd quarter down to about 9. 3rd quarter time 5 and just Michael Rowland I were there from the 5 minute mark on the last quarter. Walked out after the game and there wasn't many on the buses back to the train station.
A lot of people packed it in.

[Grantysghost]

At the first quarter there were 12 seats taken were I was sitting, 2nd quarter down to about 9. 3rd quarter time 5 and just Michael Rowland I were there from the 5 minute mark on the last quarter. Walked out after the game and there wasn't many on the buses back to the train station.
A lot of people packed it in.

Remember it well. I was sitting near Gordo and at 3/4 time both rugged up like Edmund Hillary we shared a moment of eye contact and a synchronised head shake as we lamented the conditions!
Classic. I had never met Peter.

[Bulldog Joe]

The Baillieu government did not support the construction of the stadium which led to North looking to Hobart whilst I have never seen any indication of any Conservative support for funding AFL matches there.

I'm very happy to be wrong about the latter; have you heard or read that they will?

Since it has been built, there will be support for its use. Further upgrades may be problematic, but it was a conservative government that funded Whitten Oval development.

[GVGjr]

Since it has been built, there will be support for its use. Further upgrades may be problematic, but it was a conservative government that funded Whitten Oval development.

If we can grow our membership maybe 3 more years might just about see it through unless they can increase the capacity to about 16K

[comrade]

At the first quarter there were 12 seats taken were I was sitting, 2nd quarter down to about 9. 3rd quarter time 5 and just Michael Rowland I were there from the 5 minute mark on the last quarter. Walked out after the game and there wasn't many on the buses back to the train station.
A lot of people packed it in.

My son (who was 4 at the time) lasted 15 minutes before his mum got the call to come and get him. Thankfully, it’s only a 5 minute drive!

Even as a Ballarat native, that one was an absolute shocker.

[Grantysghost]

My son (who was 4 at the time) lasted 15 minutes before his mum got the call to come and get him. Thankfully, it’s only a 5 minute drive!

Even as a Ballarat native, that one was an absolute shocker.

Are they building a new stand in the south East corner comrade?

Thought I noticed something on a picture which I now can not locate.

Edit : this one.

Actually it looks like some shelter it maybe already was there. (left of image)

https://i.postimg.cc/G25yGLZ5/20211130-101958.jpg (https://postimg.cc/5Y8yMV9B)

[Axe Man]

Are they building a new stand in the south East corner comrade?

Thought I noticed something on a picture which I now can not locate.

Edit : this one.

Actually it looks like some shelter it maybe already was there. (left of image)

https://i.postimg.cc/G25yGLZ5/20211130-101958.jpg (https://postimg.cc/5Y8yMV9B)

I think that is part of this upgrade:

Improvement upgrades to Mars Stadium to improving user experience will include:

- upgrading the Stadium’s entrances including Entrance 2, ticket boxes, and covered entry area to Gate 1,
- building additional accessible toilets to reduce the need for temporary toilets on match days,
- improving disability access to seating in the Western and Eastern Stands of the Stadium,
- improved spectator standing areas to include viewing berms with formalised terracing,
- ensure the existing changerooms are female friendly compliant, and
- create permanent food and beverage areas.

Link (https://www.ballarat.vic.gov.au/mars-stadium-facility-upgrades)

[Grantysghost]

Ah thanks Axe.

[comrade]

Are they building a new stand in the south East corner comrade?

Thought I noticed something on a picture which I now can not locate.

Edit : this one.

Actually it looks like some shelter it maybe already was there. (left of image)

https://i.postimg.cc/G25yGLZ5/20211130-101958.jpg (https://postimg.cc/5Y8yMV9B)

Toilet block and entrance/ticketing gate I believe.

[Twodogs]

Remember it well. I was sitting near Gordo and at 3/4 time both rugged up like Edmund Hillary we shared a moment of eye contact and a synchronised head shake as we lamented the conditions!
Classic. I had never met Peter.

Over the 2016/17 summer I saw Gordo sitting by himself at Barker's cafe. I wandered over to where he was and said "A couple of months ago I had the best day of my life. I just wanted to let you know that somewhere, sometime I'm going to sneak up on you and give you a huge man hug for it" He said "that's, ummm, good to know..."

[SonofScray]

I really enjoy the venture there and the games even when we had that shocking weather.
Takes me back to a time when visiting the Western Oval was challenging :)

Same, it’s a good change up. Have found a spot we like now which is good too.

That really cold, wet, windy day was one of the coldest days I’ve experienced, full stop. I’ve felt warmer in Nth American winter temperatures well below 0.

Made a few mistakes : wore shorts and Dunlop volleys, no base layer, waterproof jacket was not waterproof, got soaked pre game. If not for the hand warmers and the free blankets they gave out, I am sure I was going to get hypothermia and die, right there!

After the game I stripped down to my jocks, cut a hole in one of those blankets to make a poncho and drove home like that. Glad I didn’t get pulled over !

[Twodogs]

The coldest, wettest day at the footy I can remember was at Moorabbin in the early '80s. My two mates and I turned one of those old red coke stands around so we could shelter under it and watch the game. The rain was so heavy and the ground was so waterlogged that Bluey Hampshire had a shot from inside the goalsquare and didn't make the distance. It just rolled off his boot and got stuck in the mud!

[bornadog]

From Ballarat Council

Strong value in Western Bulldogs partnership (https://www.ballarat.vic.gov.au/news/strong-value-western-bulldogs-partnership)

An estimated $11 million in economic benefit has been contributed by visitors attending AFL games in Ballarat since 2017.

This return on investment comes despite the past two AFL seasons being interrupted by COVID-19 restrictions, which saw no matches being played in Ballarat in 2020 and only one in 2021 under capacity restrictions.

The Western Bulldogs inaugural Ballarat home and away match in 2017 saw 10,087 in attendance at an estimated economic benefit of $2.2 million.

Two matches followed in 2018 for a cumulative attendance of 13,283 and $2.89 million return, two matches again in 2019 for 19,969 total attendance and $4.35 million, and finally one match in 2021 with an attendance of 7,340 (capacity limit) and estimated economic benefit of $1.6 million.

It was announced late last month that the City of Ballarat, in conjunction with the State Government, would extend its partnership with the Western Bulldogs through to 2024.

The new deal also includes an AFLW home and away match which will provide the opportunity for the Ballarat community to experience elite women's football.

The new partnership between the City of Ballarat and the Western Bulldogs will see two AFL games, one AFLW game, Sons & Daughters of the West Health Program, Youth Leadership Program and Bulldogs Read Program. The three-year partnership contribution from the City of Ballarat totals $1.375 million.

Mayor, Cr Daniel Moloney said while the two AFL home and away games and one AFLW game are the showpiece of the Western Bulldogs year-round commitment to the City of Ballarat, the partnership goes beyond that.

“We see this partnership as a good return on investment,” Cr Moloney said.

“Not only have we seen five years of elite football played at Mars Stadium, but the Western Bulldogs have delivered community programs, school programs, community engagement and events, male and female grass roots football support and development and a constant presence at the shopfront and office in Mair Street, including local employment.”

Since engagement with the Ballarat region began in 2016, the Western Bulldogs have had meaningful connections with more than 650 participants across its three core programs; Sons of the West (419 men), Daughters of the West (153 women) and Youth Leadership Program (97 young people).

Cr Moloney said the ongoing partnership would also play a strong role in the region’s recovery from COVID-19.

“Broadcasting Western Bulldogs games across Australia also puts us on a national stage and provides significant visitation and tourism to Ballarat,” he said.

“It is also important to acknowledge the State Government's support in this partnership and particularly the investment into stages 1 and 2 of the Mars Stadium redevelopment, which has been instrumental in attracting other major events such as Nitro Circus, A League and Super Rugby events to Ballarat.”

The Western Bulldogs will host Fremantle at Mars Stadium in round 10 of the AFLW in March 2022, with AFL matches to take place in Ballarat in rounds 6 and 10 against Adelaide and Gold Coast respectively.

[Scraggers]

https://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/news/1060078/?fbclid=IwAR38JW_kEpxL-nOsSV4Vyl3G9-NnBtWZssoNe4Fystn5esQJryvPZ0_BHtA

And Mars stays as the naming rights sponsor.

[Axe Man]

Talk that Mars could host the athletics at the 2026 Commonwealth Games if they go ahead in Victoria. The ground will surely receive some nice upgrades if this eventuates.

[GVGjr]

Talk that Mars could host the athletics at the 2026 Commonwealth Games if they go ahead in Victoria. The ground will surely receive some nice upgrades if this eventuates.

That would be huge for the city.

[bornadog]

Talk that Mars could host the athletics at the 2026 Commonwealth Games if they go ahead in Victoria. The ground will surely receive some nice upgrades if this eventuates.

If they could increase the capacity to around 20k, I think that could also be sustainable for the future.

[GVGjr]

If they could increase the capacity to around 20k, I think that could also be sustainable for the future.

That would be a brilliant number but it would need a lot of work.