Blacktown City will be renamed ‘Bluestown’ for 24 hours and people encouraged to wear blue on Monday as the city celebrates its major role in the NSW Blues’ State of Origin series triumph.
Mayor Brad Bunting will go ahead with his earlier proposal to honour Blacktown City’s significant representation in the Blues squad after receiving strong community feedback.
Stephen Crichton, Spencer Leniu, Jarome Luai and Brian To’o all grew up in Mount Druitt and attended Patrician Brothers’ College Blacktown and Rooty Hill High School.
To celebrate the success, Blacktown City Council will install inexpensive, temporary signage on Monday to show the name ‘Bluestown’. The Council website and social media titles will be modified accordingly.
Mayor Bunting encouraged everyone to wear blue on Monday, where practical.
“I invite everyone to get in the ‘Bluestown’ spirit, wear something blue to school or work, and celebrate this fantastic achievement,” he said.
“Blacktown City’s powerful sporting ecosystem played a major role in the Blues’ success and continues to be the backbone of many state sporting achievements.
“If Michael Maguire needs more Blues players for future series, Blacktown City has plenty more in the pipeline.”
The four homegrown Blues’ achievement is also testament to Pasifika communities’ contribution.
Blacktown City has the largest population of people from Pasifika communities in NSW.
Mayor Bunting, a lifelong Mount Druitt resident and avid league follower, said he hoped Crichton, Leniu, Luai and To’o would inspire more youngsters to achieve their dreams.
Blacktown City was recently named Council of the Year at the Sport NSW Community Sports Awards for outstanding service to sport.
