The Western Sydney Wanderers are today proud to launch their new Regional Strategy, coinciding with the announcement of their Community match this Hyundai A-League season being played at Glen Willow Regional Sports Stadium in Mudgee.
The Western Sydney Wanderers are today proud to launch their new Regional Strategy, coinciding with the announcement of their Community match this Hyundai A-League season being played at Glen Willow Regional Sports Stadium in Mudgee.
The match is part of the Wanderers’ efforts in servicing the regional community in the Central West, engaging with the Local Government areas of Bathurst, Mudgee and Orange.
The Community fixture will mark the first time the Hyundai A-League will be played in Mudgee with over 10,000 registered participants in the wider region getting the chance to have the Wanderers in their backyard.
The Wanderers Regional Strategy is part of the club’s work with Mid Western Regional Council, Bathurst Regional Council and Orange City Council to ensure that the Wanderers have a lasting footprint in the region.
Local schools and grassroots clubs will benefit greatly from the strategy, with a number of schools clinics, Schools Cup tournaments, as well as, activations with local associations taking place in the lead-up to the match.
The Western Sydney Wanderers would like to thank Mid Western Regional Council, Bathurst Regional Council, Orange City Council, McDonalds Mudgee New Licensees Daniel and Belinda Zammit, and the Football Federation of Australia for their support of the Wanderers hosting a match in Regional NSW.
Western Sydney Wanderers CEO John Tsatsimas believes this season’s Community match is the perfect opportunity for the Wanderers to showcase the Hyundai A-League to the Central West.
“We’re looking forward to engaging with and forming lasting relationships with the local communities of Mudgee, Bathurst and Orange this Hyundai A-League season,” said Tsatsimas.
“The Community match is always a very important match in the Wanderers schedule and we’re proud to be playing in the first ever Hyundai A-League match in Mudgee.”
Sports broadcasting legend Ken Sutcliffe grew up in Mudgee and is proud that his hometown will be hosting the Wanderers fixture.
“I’m really happy about the news that the Western Sydney Wanderers will be coming to Mudgee,” said Sutcliffe.
“It’s great for the region and great for the game.
“Once again, the regions impressive sporting facility has attracted another major sporting event. I call Glen Willow the Wembley of the West.”
Mayor of Mid Western Regional Council, Des Kennedy, says the Council is excited to partner with the Wanderers to bring a 2018/19 Hyundai A-League match to Regional New South Wales.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for regional fans to see elite players battle it out in a Hyundai A-League at our world-class stadium,” said Cr Kennedy.
“The sport has a major following in our region, with up to 670 juniors and seniors participating each weekend with a further 8,000 to 10,000 participants in the Central West.
“Glen Willow has proven its ability to successfully host all codes of football. This Hyundai A-League game will be the third code to play at a professional level with a Rugby Union trial match and Rugby League Premiership match also played at the facility in the last 18 months.”
Mayor of Bathurst Regional Council, Graeme Hanger OAM, says he is looking forward to the experience of having the Wanderers in his hometown.
“I am so pleased the Wanderers will be coming to Bathurst to meet our community,” said Cr Hanger.
“We’re looking forward to the team sharing their stories, skills and experiences.”
Orange City Council’s Sport & Recreation Committee chair Cr Jason Hamling has welcomed the Wanderers visit to Orange.
“The World Cup has shown just how popular football is in regional areas, and the prospect of a Hyundai A-League club coming to Orange to stage clinic and school competition will be warmly welcomed,” said Cr Hamling.
“Every Saturday at this time of year hundreds of children and adults can be found on sportsgrounds around Orange both playing and watching.
“I congratulate Mudgee on being chosen to stage a Hyundai A-League match during the Community match. We’ve had pre-season games in Orange in recent years, and I’d like to think Orange would be in contention one day in the future for a regular season game.”