A dramatic rise in COVID-19 cases in Victoria has already forced a number professional sporting teams to relocate to Queensland.
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If any other teams are faced with the prospect of relocating, Cessnock City Council wants them to know they're welcome here.
Council's general manager Lotta Jackson will write to the NRL, A-League, Rugby Australia and other relevant men's and women's sporting bodies to outline the "fantastic" facilities and accommodation available in the Cessnock LGA should they wish to base a team here during the current COVID-19 pandemic.
The AFL's announcement on Wednesday that it would be moving all of its Victorian-based teams to Queensland prompted Labor councillor Jay Suvaal to table the idea as a motion of urgency at that night's meeting.
"We're proud of the facilities we have to offer here in the Cessnock local government area. Facilities like the Cessnock Sportsground have been used by international teams and national teams," Cr Suvaal said.
"The feedback from visiting teams is overwhelmingly positive and our residents always give them a very warm welcome.
"As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic we continue to see sporting teams and competitions changed, many teams are looking for options to relocate out of major metropolitan areas.
"We are in a great location, close to Newcastle and Sydney making us easily accessible.
"Writing to sporting bodies across Australia and putting ourselves out there is an opportunity for us to showcase our area and a way of providing assistance."
Cessnock has previously hosted Wallabies training camps, NRL and A-League trial games, and the Japanese football team was based in town prior to the 2015 Asian Cup.
The city has also been named on the list of home bases for teams for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.
The Cessnock LGA recorded its most recent COVID-19 case on April 2.
Krystal Sellars
Krystal Sellars is the Senior Journalist at the Cessnock Advertiser. Born and raised in Cessnock, she started her journalism career at the Advertiser in 2006 after completing a Bachelor of Communication at the University of Newcastle. Contact her on krystal.sellars@cessnockadvertiser.com.au.
Krystal Sellars is the Senior Journalist at the Cessnock Advertiser. Born and raised in Cessnock, she started her journalism career at the Advertiser in 2006 after completing a Bachelor of Communication at the University of Newcastle. Contact her on krystal.sellars@cessnockadvertiser.com.au.
