Moruya is making a play for Group 16 grand final hosting rights, saying Bega is no longer up to the task.
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The club’s leaders have written to the Group 16 executive committee with their request, saying the deterioration, or outright lack, of amenities deserved consideration.
In its letter, Moruya refers to “inadequate” toilet facilities, the burnt-out canteen that is yet to be replaced, and the lack of a “proper scoreboard and time clock”.
“We as a club fielded numerous complaints from our supporters about the poor facilities, many of whom said that they would not return to Bega unless fixed,” Sharks president Dave Farrell said.
“The Bega Valley Shire Council have acknowledged that no significant improvements are programmed for the Bega Recreation Ground prior to the 2016 grand final.
“The Moruya Club believes that our home ground, Ack Weyman Oval, has all of the requirements needed to successfully host the Group 16 grand final, and elevate it to the prestige it deserves.
Moruya also claims to have “the best playing surface in Group 16”, “the best crowd support of any Group 16 club”, and that it has “earnt the right to host the season finale” because of its record since re-entering the competition in 2012, including the minor premiership for the past four years and two premierships.
Bega Roosters president Garry Arkin said the application will come before the Group 16 executive at a meeting Wednesday night.
“Their strong point is the canteen facilities – they have one and ours is burnt to the ground,” Arkin said.
“This will be the third season without it and council has not been forthcoming with repairs.”
Arkin said the council’s masterplan for the sports precinct “might take five, 10, 15 years to come to fruition”.
“We submitted plans to the council for a temporary canteen that could be moved to a smaller area like the hockey fields once the big build is done – but feedback has been minimal.”