The University of New England will again host the Parramatta Eels for their 2013 pre-season training camp early in 2013.
Chancellor Richard Torbay said the University recently extended its major sponsorship of the team for another two years and was looking forward to having the Eels back in Armidale and on-campus.
“Their week-long training camp will kick off at UNE on January 29, 2013, and will include plenty of opportunities for locals to meet the NRL stars and watch them in action,” Mr Torbay said.
“The highlight of their stay will be a pre-season trial match against the Newcastle Knights at UNE’s Bellevue Field on Saturday, February 2, 2013.
“The last NRL trial match played in Armidale was in 1993, so this is one not to be missed,” Mr Torbay said.
The game will be Parramatta’s first trial match for 2013 and will include quality curtain raisers between the Under 16s and Under 18s Eels and NSW Country.
Parramatta Eels coach Ricky Stuart and Newcastle Knights coach Wayne Bennett will be in Armidale during the teams’ visit and there will be opportunities to meet these legends of the game at a number of key public events.
“We are really looking forward to coming up to Armidale for our annual pre-season training camp. It will be my first time in Armidale for many years and it will be great to utilise the extensive facilities at UNE,” said Ricky Stuart.
“This will also be the first trial match for 2013 and it’s a good chance for me to have a look at our players and an opportunity for them to get some game time under their belt. I like the fact that Parramatta is in a position to be able to bring these types of games to the bush, it’s important, on so many levels,” he added.
