Be the first to see the new Nathan Hindmarsh or Ray Price of the future as the Parramatta Eels take on the Newcastle Knights for their first Trial match of 2013 on Saturday, February 2, at the University of New England.
Bellevue Grandstand will be alive as fans and players gather together for a great day of football. Gates open at 12 noon, with two quality curtain raisers between the U16s and U18s Eels and Wests Greater Northern Rugby League Academy Team from 1.30pm. The main game kicks off at 5pm.
Rugby League fans will have the opportunity to watch some of the stars of the future play first class football on home soil. Tickets are selling quickly, with over 2000 tickets already sold. There has been lot of interest from both the local region and further afield, including south-east Queensland and the North Coast.
Coach of the Eels, Ricky Stuart said, “We are really looking forward to coming up to Armidale for our annual pre-season training camp and trial match. It will be my first time in Armidale for many years and I’m looking forward to utilising the university’s extensive facilities.”
Parramatta legends such as Luke Burt and Nathan Cayliss will be attending the game and there is a good possibility that other ‘Parra legends’ will also be present.
Although Knights Head Coach, Wayne Bennett, is unable to be in Armidale due to his commitment as coach of the NRL All Stars team, the Newcastle Knights will be in good hands with assistant coach Rick Stone guiding them. Bennett said, “Armidale and the University hold great memories for me from the many years I helped conduct coaching camps there. It is excellent to see the trial match for the up and coming players between Knights and Parramatta being held in Armidale. From the Knights’ perspective, it is a team of young players who are looking to impress with performances for future opportunities in our NRL program.”
Parramatta players who are not taking to the field for the trial game will be at the free Junior Rugby League Coaching Clinic on the Saturday morning. The clinic runs from 10 – 11am, followed by a signing session from 11.15am – 12.15pm.
The Parramatta Pre-season Training Camp will run from January 29 to February 3 and has been made possible as part of UNE’s continued partnership with the Parramatta Eels. This partnership exists to widen the educational opportunities the University offers students from various regions, including Sydney’s Western Region. More than 20 per cent of UNE’s students reside in the Western Sydney area.
To purchase tickets to the trial match game or the Eels Dinner on the Thursday evening, go to www.une.edu.au and follow the links or phone SportUNE on 6773 3856.
