The NSWRL is offering all emergency services personnel free entry to four Grand Final showdowns across two days and two venues in Sydney this weekend to honour their contribution to the community.
Police and fire officers and paramedics can watch all the action from the Sydney Shield and Ron Massey Cup at Leichhardt Oval on Saturday (28 September) and the Jersey Flegg Cup and Canterbury Cup NSW at Bankwest Stadium on Sunday (29 September) by simply presenting their badge (or ID) at the gates upon arrival.
“The NSWRL will always be thankful for all the efforts that emergency services workers go through day-in and day-out across our state,” NSWRL Chief Executive David Trodden said.
“This is only a small gesture of appreciation for the remarkable and selfless work they do by offering them a weekend to support the competition Grand Finals of the NSWRL and watch the elite talent developed through our pathways.”
The Sunday match-ups will feature the Jersey Flegg Cup decider between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Canberra Raiders as an appetiser to the Canterbury Cup NSW Grand Final between Newtown Jets and Wentworthville Magpies at the world-class Bankwest Stadium, offering a big-game experience to all players and spectators attending.
It is the first year of a five-year partnership to play the Grand Final of the state’s premier competition at the venue.
It has also been a successful first year for naming rights partner Canterbury, who became the first apparel company in Australia to put their name to an elite sporting competition.
“We do things from grassroots to retail apparel and this was an opportunity to get involved with Rugby League more and promote our brand,” Canterbury Sports Marketing Manager Nathan Russell said.
“We’ve enjoyed the standard of football the teams have displayed this season and can’t wait to see who comes out on top on Grand Final Day.”
Magpies captain Josh Hoffman said he was hoping to finish their Canterbury Cup NSW season on a high after their charge through the finals from eighth position.
“This year was pretty hard, players were coming in and out of positions and we couldn’t get our combinations right,” Hoffman said.
“Finally, we got it right and it’s come at the most important time of year.”
Jets captain Scott Sorensen said his team was hoping to go one better after finishing runners-up in last year’s Grand Final.
“Wentworthville are healthy and fit, so we have to understand that this is not going to be a walk-through and lift the trophy, we have a hard battle ahead of us. We’re up for the challenge and can’t wait,” Sorensen said.
The action will kick off for the NSWRL Grand Final weekend on Saturday September 28 at Leichhardt Oval with Cabramatta (1) and Ryde-Eastwood Hawks (4) looking for their first title in the Sydney Shield while heavyweights Wentworthville Magpies (1) and St Marys (2) will battle it out in the Ron Massey Cup.
“It promises to be a great weekend of Grand Final action for the NSWRL,” Trodden said.
“There’s plenty of intriguing storylines in every game and I’m sure the players will provide plenty of excitement in their quest for premiership glory.”
NSWRL GRAND FINALS
Saturday 28 September
Leichhardt Oval
Sydney Shield 12.30pm – Cabramatta (1) vs Ryde-Eastwood Hawks (4)
Ron Massey Cup 3pm – Wentworthville Magpies (1) vs St Marys (2)
Sunday 29 September
Bankwest Stadium
Jersey Flegg Cup 12.30pm – Canberra Raiders (4) vs South Sydney Rabbitohs (5)
Canterbury Cup NSW 3.05pm – Newtown Jets (7) vs Wentworthville Magpies (8)
