Frustrated Raiders coach Ricky Stuart has passionately called for major upgrades to GIO Stadium — or a new ground for the people of Canberra — amid ongoing concerns with the venue.
Speaking in the post-match press conference, Stuart was asked about the “pungent aroma” fans in attendance at the Raiders’ Round 2 clash had to deal with.
While Stuart’s men bested the Tigers 32-12 in a solid performance, the Raiders coach still took aim at the “absolutely crap” situation in the nation’s capital.
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He also referenced a recent concert that took place at Commonwealth Park in the ACT, which saw some attendees left stranded after buses stopped prior to the 9.30pm end of the event.
“I feel sorry for those people there with the stench, it’s s**t. I know people laugh about it but we are the capital of Australia,” Stuart said.
“The stadium administration are wonderful people, they accommodate us so well. They and Canberra deserve a new stadium.
“It’s absolutely crap they don’t build a stadium to look after Canberra’s people, I’m all for education and I’m all for hospitals.
“But we have to have some common sense. There was a concert here last week and all the buses stopped and people were left stranded.
“Honestly, politically, and I’m uneducated in politics, which I’m happy about. But politics should learn off sport, because I believe there’s a lot of good leaders in sport.”
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In 2023, the ACT government pulled the plug on a potential new stadium in the city centre, instead opting to keep sporting events at the AIS campus in the suburb of Bruce.
Bruce is a 15-minute drive from Canberra’s city centre and has limited public transport access.
In May last year, the NRL — via a submission to the government penned by NRL executive Andrew Every — labelled GIO Stadium “no longer fit-for-purpose”.
A parliamentary inquiry looking at how to foster and promote the significance of Australia’s national capital received the NRL’s submission.
“Despite the natural alignment to host significant national matches in Canberra, the lack of significant investment in stadium infrastructure has made the region uncompetitive for hosting such events,” the NRL’s submission read according to The Canberra Daily.
“GIO Stadium Canberra and the national capital have lost their appeal as being a potential location for rugby league events of national significance and no longer fit-for-purpose.”
Source Agencies
