Three more years of Bulldogs in Ballarat

[bornadog]

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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?

[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

[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

[GVGjr]

That was the only one I missed there

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.

[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.

[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 !

[Grantysghost]

Ah thanks Axe.

[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!