LOCAL businesses were the real winners of the NRL clash between the Penrith Panthers and Cronulla Sharks in Bathurst on Saturday.
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Bathurst RSL Club general manager Peter Sargent said the club had been full of footy fans over the course of the weekend.
“We had the Cronulla Sharks here doing a signing on Friday night,” he said. “The club was at capacity and there was a really great atmosphere.
“We had people travel from all over the place for it. There was a family of eight who travelled from Trangie ... and another family who came from Coolah.”
Mr Sargent is pleased council has signed a five-year contract with the Penrith Panthers to bring an NRL match to Bathurst each year.
“It is really great news for us. The amount of people it brought into the club was great,” he said. “It was definitely a key trading weekend.
“No doubt the Panthers Club is our biggest rival in terms of competition, but we are absolutely grateful that the NRL came to town as all businesses benefited.”
Knickerbocker Hotel owner Scott Macallister said his accommodation was booked out over the weekend and bistro and bar sales were very good.
“I had people staying who were from Cronulla, south of Sydney and even Gosford,” he said.
“There was a good vibe around town,” he added, “while the feedback from people who went down to the game was exceptional.”
Mr Macallister, a big NRL supporter, said it was important that Bathurst builds on its “V8 reputation” and spreads its sporting wings.
Porters Cafe owner Chris Bergen said the match “really brought the town alive”.
“We were pretty flat out all day Friday and Saturday,” he said. “We had some visitors, but mainly a lot of locals.”
He said he was also busy over the week leading up to the game.
“I have spoken to a couple of small business owners and everyone noticed that from around Tuesday, there was an increase in business and the only fact I can put it down to is the game.”
In a letter to the Western Advocate, Cronulla Sharks CEO Steve Noyce said the team’s experience in Bathurst had reinforced to them the passion and pride people have in the game and the Cronulla Sharks.
“After the players returned to the sheds after going around the oval to thank everyone they were all talking about what a great thrill it had been to be part of the promotion of an NRL game in Bathurst,” he said.
“I have no doubt the remaining four years of the partnership with the Penrith Panthers will be an outstanding success.”