Federal Member for Cowper Luke Hartsuyker has welcomed the arrival of the 2016 New South Wales Blues Origin team which is in a pre-match camp at Coffs Harbour.
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Mr Hartsuyker today met some of the Origin team who are based at Novotel Pacific Bay Resort for the week. The team will attend public events, as well as their pre-game training for the Origin 1 match next Wednesday.
“The arrival of the Blues Origin team further cements Coffs Harbour’s reputation as an Australian sporting hub for national and international sports events and teams,” Mr Hartsuyker said.
“This week, the eyes of every rugby league fan in Australia will be trained on the Coffs Coast as the Blue team immerse themselves in the North Coast.
“This can only increase our profile as a tourist destination. We have great facilities, fantastic weather all year round and a local community that has proven its to be huge supporters when it comes to attending events.
The city always gets into the spirit of every Blue team visit, including businesses painting the town blue to support the NSW team.
“The economic benefit that flows from sports tourism, such as this Origin team visit, builds the Coffs Coast’s profile every year.
“Coffs Harbour has a great track record of hosting highly successful international and national sporting events which draw huge crowds, including 55,000 to the Rally,” Mr Hartsuyker said.
Coffs Harbour boasts some of regional Australia’s best sporting facilities. The International Stadium has been upgraded to digital broadcast standard which creates an opportunity for Cricket Australia to schedule day-night Test.
The Coffs Coast also hosts the Australian leg of the FIA World Rally Championship, the Touch Football World Cup and Wallabies training camps.