Stadium - Winter 2015 Edition

WINTER 2015

BENJI: BETTER THAN EVER

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STADIUM NEWS BENJI AND THAT GRAND FINAL TRY AS the years pass by, many of us can recall exactly where we were NRL Grand Final Day on any particular year.

For 83,833 fans, the memory of last year’s NRL decider, with the Rabbitohs breaking a 43-year title drought, remains very vivid indeed.

But where were you in 2005? Were you in the crowd that day, when a precocious young man called Benji Marshall etched his name in rugby league folklore by setting up one of the greatest tries in Grand Final history? For Benji himself, the memories of that day are crystal clear. “I remember that game like it was yesterday,” Marshall tells us (Pages 6-7) in his first interview since becoming an ANZ Stadium sporting Ambassador.

Which teams will line up in this year’s NRL decider? Will it be the Rabbitohs and the Bulldogs again? If that is to happen, two sets of twin brothers – George and Thomas Burgess, and Josh and Brett Morris – will be part of the journey.

(Pages 8-9) It’s been quite a year at ANZ Stadium, with the AFC Asian Cup, a blockbuster Foo Fighters concert, State of Origin I, a Super Rugby Grand Final rematch, and football classics featuring Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea FC. Still ahead lies the Bledisloe Cup Test (see Greg Growden’s feature article Pages 22-23), and super music events featuring Taylor Swift and AC/DC. And, of course, NRL Grand Final Day. So where will you be on Sunday 4 October?

- Arthur Stanley

STADIUM Editor-In-Chief Arthur Stanley Art Director Chloe Xuereb Managing Editor Jennifer Dowd Digital Editor Daniel Farrar Features Editor Crystelle Cordero Sports Writer Julian Keith Special Guest Writers Savannah Robinson, Greg Growden, Ray Gatt, Marketing & Membership Melinda Madigan Corporate Hospitality Shane Stoddard Advertising Tiffany Hunter, Chris Silver

ANZ Stadium Managing Director Daryl Kerry Chief Financial Officer Steve Heytman Event & Business Development Greg Sleigh

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ANZ Stadium Contact Details T: 02 8765 2000 W: anzstadium.com.au Postal Address: Locked Bag 1999, Sydney Olympic Park, NSW, 2127

THE YEAR OF BIG HITS STATE OF ORIGIN I WEDNESDAY 27 MAY TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR v SYDNEY FC SATURDAY 30 MAY CHELSEA FC v SYDNEY FC TUESDAY 2 JUNE

AND STILL TO COME . . .

BLEDISLOE CUP 8 AUGUST: The Wallabies are motivated to end a 13-year Cup drought against the mighty All Blacks.

FOOTY FINALS SEPTEMBER: NRL & AFL Finals are expected to be scheduled at ANZ Stadium. Don’t miss a second of the action.

AC/DC 4 & 7 NOVEMBER: Legendary rock band AC/DC are returning in 2015, bringing their Rock or Bust World Tour.

TAYLOR SWIFT 28 NOVEMBER: Taylor Swift’s oneand-only Sydney concert will be at ANZ Stadium.

NRL GRAND FINAL 4 OCTOBER: It was Rabbitohs v Bulldogs last year.

Who will it be in season 2015?

MONSTER JAM 17 OCTOBER: It’s monster mayhem when the big trucks bring big noise and big excitement to the Stadium.

SYDNEY TO CELEBRATE 15 YEARS SINCE THE OLYMPICS: PAGE 46

STADIUM DIGITAL EDITION AVAILABLE THROUGH THE APPLE APP STORE

IOC PRESIDENTIAL VISIT

Sydney visit . . . Thomas Bach (3rd from right) on the arena and signing the ANZ Stadium signature board. Picture courtesy SOPA.

WORLD’S FINEST OLYMPIC LEGACY Savannah Robinson Sydney Olympic Park Authority

Newington, before entering the former Olympic Stadium, where the official party was greeted by ANZ Stadium Managing Director Daryl Kerry and watched a historic moment from the 2000 Games – Cathy HE President of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Freeman’s 400m gold medal run – on the big screens.

Bach, visited the host city of the Sydney 2000 Games to re-live Dr Bach pointed out where he had been sitting at Sydney’s Olympic what was described as “the best Games ever” and to see first-hand its Stadium the night Cathy raced for gold. Premier Baird also pointed successful legacy, the now thriving suburb of Sydney Olympic Park. out where he had been seated. Dr Bach was then taken on a tour past Speaking at the Park, Thomas Bach, said: “I do not want only to other sporting venues that were used during the Games and which are thank you for the memories of the Sydney 2000 still well utilised today to support grassroots Olympic Games, but would like to congratulate community sport through to elite athletes, you on the wonderful legacy these Games are before stopping to see the Munich Memorial, ‘WE CAN ALL BE PROUD OF living. Be proud of this, and be aware that this followed by a visit to the Olympic Cauldron.

SYDNEY OLYMPIC PARK’ Olympic Park and that the Sydney Olympic Sydney Olympic Park Authority Chairman Games are still today setting a benchmark for and former Olympic Minister Michael Knight organisers.” shared how the infrastructure that was put The delegation visiting Sydney Olympic Park included AOC and IOC in place for the Games continues to provide outstanding social and Vice President John Coates AC, Sydney Olympic gold medallist and economic benefits for the people of NSW. “For many Australians this former IOC Member Susie O’Neill, NSW Premier Mike Baird, NSW is a special place and they greatly value their Olympic memories, but Sports Minister Stuart Ayres – who is also the Minister responsible for Sydney Olympic Park is not frozen in time. It’s a living, breathing, Sydney Olympic Park – former Olympic Minister Michael Knight, and constantly evolving entity,” said Mr Knight. “With the active support the former Director General of Sydney 2000, David Richmond. of Government, Sydney Olympic Park Authority has been able to NSW Premier Mike Baird said: “As you can see, Sydney Olympic Park manage both the current site operations and the ongoing commercial is still here. It has grown and thrived. It is a place that not only has and residential developments. That allows the Park to continue to be great memories but continues day to day to provide many workplaces Australia’s premier event precinct but still develop as a significant and many opportunities.” commercial and residential hub, while all the time respecting the The delegation was driven through the former Athletes Village, now sporting, environmental and cultural legacies of the Olympics,” he said.

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STADIUM NRL

FROM WHIZ-KID TO MR

MATURITY

THE REMARKABLE NRL JOURNEY OF BENJI MARSHALL B

ENJI Marshall will long be remembered for his wizardry on the rugby league field – and especially for one golden try that is etched in NRL Grand Final folklore and which remains one of the iconic sporting moments at ANZ Stadium.

Benji was a member of the Wests Tigers team that defeated North Queensland Cowboys in the 2005 NRL Grand Final, famously setting up a legendary 94m try to Pat Richards with a trademark Marshall flick pass at about the 50m line.

“Who does that in an NRL Grand Final with the game on the line?” asked league legend Peter Sterling on the Channel 9 call. “Only Benji Marshall.”

Now 30 years of age, Benji is no longer the precocious young gun on the rugby league field, preferring to play a more mature role at halfback for the St George Illawarra Dragons.

But don’t think he isn’t prepared to reach into his bag of tricks if the situation calls for it.

He spoke exclusively to STADIUM editor Arthur Stanley.

‘IT’S BASICALLY 12 MONTHS OF PREPARATION AND THE END GOAL IS THE NRL GRAND FINAL’

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STADIUM: So Benji, you’re in the 2015 NRL Grand Final with the Dragons and the game is in the balance. You pick up the ball in your own in-goal line and break through the line. Is the Benji Marshall of today still prepared to throw that flick pass?

Benji: That was 10 years ago and I am more mature and wiser today. I was 20 years of age and 80kg in that Grand Final. Today, I am 91kg and, naturally over a decade, footballers tend to lose a bit of speed and they need to adapt their game. But if that same opportunity

Time to reflect . . . Benji Marshall at ANZ Stadium. Picture: Eliot Cohen.

presented itself in a big game, would I throw that pass? Absolutely. I am still capable of pulling that move off. I have practised that pass my whole life.

STADIUM: Where does that 2005 Grand Final win with the Tigers rank in your long list of achievements in footy?

Benji: It’s probably my greatest memory. I remember that Grand Final like it was yesterday . . . it seemed like we had the whole of Sydney behind us that day. The noise at ANZ Stadium was deafening.

Playing a Grand Final with 80,000 fans in this venue . . . it’s an awesome experience. We were a young team on the rise playing a

great brand of football. It was a great day. The other experience that rivals that was playing in the Kiwis’ 2008 Rugby League World Cup final victory over the Kangaroos. It was the Kiwis’ first ever World Cup victory, in a game we were considered massive underdogs.

STADIUM: Is a Grand Final the pinnacle for most players?

Benji: It really is. A lot of players go their entire careers without playing in a Grand Final. We put so much blood, sweat and tears into a season . . . it’s basically 12 months’ of preparation . . . and the end goal is the Grand Final. That’s why so many players find winning – or losing – so emotional. It all comes down to that one day. It’s the same for the fans . . . ecstatic when their team finally wins a Grand Final; gutted when their team loses.

STADIUM: The Dragons have surprised everyone in 2015 with their outstanding run of form. Are you enjoying your footy with such a historic rugby league club?

Benji: I love the place. So much history. The Dragons are such a proud club. I’m still coming to terms with how much the club means to so many people. It has been quite overwhelming really. It doesn’t matter where you go. I’ve been back to New Zealand and over in the US, and St George Illawarra Dragons fans will appear from nowhere and want to talk about NRL footy.

STADIUM: So the Marshall clan is all wearing red and white these days?

Benji: Actually, a story I haven’t told previously is that all my family supported the Dragons when I was growing up in New Zealand.

When I was at school in Whakatane, I didn’t follow rugby league but my family did . . . and they were all Dragons supporters. When I took a scholarship to play on the Gold Coast and made my debut for the Tigers in 2003, my family started following the Tigers. Now they are back cheering for the Dragons.

STADIUM: There was a magical moment earlier this season when the Dragons hosted the Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium (one of two home games the Dragons play at ANZ Stadium each season) and you sent a magnificent cut-out pass to a flying Peter Mat’utia who ran down the Cathy Freeman gold-medal side of the Stadium to score. You must have enjoyed that?

Benji: Life is much happier when you are winning. We didn’t start the season well. It wasn’t the fact we were not winning; it was more the fact we were performing poorly that disappointed us. But then we started on a winning run and that Bulldogs game was an important stepping stone for us. We put together a series of good results and have steadily grown in confidence.

STADIUM: The Dragons play a second home game at ANZ Stadium in Round 26 against Wests Tigers – up against your old club.

Benji: Should be a huge game for both clubs.

STADIUM: You recently became an ANZ Stadium Ambassador, telling us at the time it was a natural fit for you given your history with the venue and the fact you enjoy talking sport with different groups of people. Do you remember much about the Sydney Olympics?

Benji: The Stadium has been part of my life, as it has been for so many people in Sydney. I was only 15 and living in New Zealand when the Sydney Olympics were on . . . I remember Cathy Freeman winning, but not much else. Obviously, that 2005 Grand Final was my personal highlight at ANZ Stadium, but I have also watched countless Origin matches, Bledisloe Cup matches, the odd AFL match and a few amazing concerts. I also live in Western Sydney and know the role the Stadium plays in the community. People love their sport in Western Sydney, and it’s important that Sydney has a major events venue in the geographical heart of the city.

STADIUM: We hope to see you out on the arena with the Dragons come September - or perhaps even the first Sunday in October.

Benji: We plan to be there. We’ll certainly be giving it everything we’ve got.

BENJI MARSHALL Born: 25 February 1985 Age: 30 Marital status: Married - Zoe Marshall (m. 2013) Lives: Western Sydney Schooling: Whakatane High School Club: St George Illawarra Dragons Junior Club: Keebra Park Position: Five-eighth, Halfback Height: 182cm Weight: 91kg First-grade debut: Wests Tigers v Newcastle Knights, Campbelltown Stadium, 27/07/2003 (Round 20) Played: 240-plus NRL games Tests: 27 for New Zealand Grand Finals: 1 (2005)

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STADIUM NRL

DOUBLE VISION Julian Keith

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T’S the Brosh and Thorge Show – two sets of identical twin brothers playing for rival Sydney clubs and giving rugby league fans a serious case of double vision.

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs’ backline duo Brett and Josh Morris and South Sydney Rabbitohs giants Thomas and George Burgess created NRL history in April when they became the first sets of identical twins to go head-to-head in the NRL. The unique encounter only added to the occasion as 40,523 fans turned out on Good Friday to witness a ferocious Grand Final rematch between the Rabbitohs and Bulldogs.

The Rabbitohs earned a controversial 18-17 victory with a lastminute penalty goal in a game where the only thing harder than splitting the two teams was picking the difference between the two sets of brothers.

“When we were young, people would call us both ‘Thorge’ so they didn’t mix us up,” revealed Thomas Burgess, discussing life growing up with brother George.

Even now as adults it’s hard to pick them apart, with their Rabbitohs teammates relying on George’s broken nose and Tom’s slightly taller stature to split the pair.

But it’s not just their looks that are similar – the Burgess boys both play an aggressive brand of footy and are clearly among the game’s premier front-rowers.

After establishing themselves in last season’s premiership-winning run, the brothers have become a formidable 1-2 punch in the Rabbitohs’ forward pack.

At the Bulldogs, Brett and Josh Morris are forming a unique partnership of their own.

Once a threatening double-act for the St George Illawarra Dragons, Josh departed in 2009 to ply his trade with the Bulldogs.

2015 NRL Grand Final Sunday 4 October Member bookings close 21 Aug. See page 29 for Member dining options and Paying Guest prices.

Photo: Gregg Porteous/The Daily Telegraph

After six years apart, the yearning to play with his twin became too much for Brett. He left the Dragons to reunite with Josh in Belmore at the beginning of this season. Reunited once more, the Morris boys give the Bulldogs a wealth of representative experience in the backline.

While the two sets of brothers couldn’t be more different on the field – the Burgess boys as tough front-rowers and the Morris boys as star running backs – there is one thing they share off the field; both come from prestigious footballing families.

The Burgess twins have their two older brothers Sam and Luke, both professional footballers as well. Their father Mark was a tough front-rower who played with several clubs in the north of England.

The Morris boys are, of course, sons of Dragons great, Steve “Slippery” Morris.

You can see that pedigree in the way both sets of brothers play, and it showed in their epic Round 5 clash.

All eyes now turn to the rematch in Round 24 when the two sides –

and the two sets of twins – face off once more at ANZ Stadium.

But who’s to say they won’t meet each other again? This time in a Finals setting that the clash deserves.

BROSH

THORGE

Brett Morris (B) Josh Morris (J)

Thomas Burgess (T) George Burgess (G)

Born: 23 August 1986 Age: 28

Born: 21 April 1992 Age: 23

22 Tests (B18; J4) 26 tries for Australia (B23; J3) 19 SOO appearances (B10; J9) 6 tries for NSW (B3; J3) 354 NRL appearances (B173; J181) 207 career NRL tries (B115; J92)

17 Tests (T9; G8) 2 tries for England (T1; G1) 94 NRL appearances (T 35; G59) 12 career NRL tries (T1; G 11)

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STADIUM REDEVELOPMENT UPDATE

LIGHT RAIL PLAN FOR SYDNEY OLYMPIC PARK: P26

STADIUM OF THE FUTURE

Arthur Stanley

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HE NSW Government is finalising an investment strategy to upgrade Sydney’s sporting stadium infrastructure, which is expected to include plans to redevelop ANZ Stadium.

The Government announced last year that $600 million had been set aside for Stadium upgrades, with a strong case having been put forward for the redevelopment of Sydney’s Olympic stadium.

While there has been extensive media speculation about where funding may be directed, the NSW Government had made no formal announcements regarding funding for any of the major venues at the time of publication.

Chairman John Clarke told the recent 17th Annual General Meeting of the Stadium Australia Club Limited: “As the operators of ANZ Stadium, the Stadium Australia Group has, and continues to, vigorously argue to all levels of Government that a significant portion of the $600 million of funding should be allocated to an upgrade of ANZ Stadium.

“This will ensure that the centrepiece of the 2000 Olympics remains competitive in retaining existing and attracting new events for NSW, which only ANZ Stadium can do by virtue of its 83,000-plus seating capacity and its location in the geographical heart of Sydney.”

Mr Clarke explained that the NSW Government had requested that the operators of ANZ Stadium, Allianz Stadium (the SCG Trust) and Parramatta Stadium (Venues NSW) consider the adoption of a

new governance model that would see all three of these key venues operated by a single entity.

“The rationale for a single entity operating all three of Sydney’s major football stadiums is that a single operator governance structure would remove the agendas and self-interest that has been an impediment to reaching consensus about where the $600 million in stadia funding should be spent,” Mr Clarke said.

Mr Clarke added that no agreement had been reached with Government and stressed that, in all discussions with Government about stadia funding and any possible changes to the management of ANZ Stadium, preserving the rights and benefits of ANZ Stadium Members was at the forefront of discussions. He said, as a priority, Members would be kept up to date with any developments.

Mr Clarke said: “Along with my fellow Directors, our commitment to ANZ Stadium Members is to: • Keep you informed about stadia funding and Governance issues as they develop, subject to Government confidentiality restrictions; • Ensure that Members’ Rights are at the forefront of discussions with Government about stadia funding and governance; • Vigorously pursue all event opportunities; • Continue to deliver outstanding service to loyal Members.” *ANZ Stadium Members will be notified of any developments surrounding stadia funding and/or future governance structure via Members’ eNews.

Pictures: Eliot Cohen

MAJOR EVENTS STADIUM

250,000 FANS IN SEVEN DAYS

SYDNEY’S WEEK OF BLOCKBUSTERS Arthur Stanley

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HIS was a week Sydney will long remember. Three sporting blockbusters in seven days.

ANZ Stadium – Sydney’s home of major events – welcomed an extraordinary 235,269 fans through the turnstiles for Holden State of Origin Game I (Wed 27 May) and two football classics featuring English Premier League teams Tottenham Hotspur (Sat 30 May) and reigning champions Chelsea FC (Tues 2 June).

The crowds were: • 80,122 ORIGIN I • 71,549 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR V SYDNEY FC • 83,598 CHELSEA FC V SYDNEY FC The total Stadium attendance swelled past 250,000 in the space of a week with two pre-game training sessions for Spurs and Chelsea drawing crowds of 4250 and 10,629 respectively.

The phenomenal crowd numbers proved once again that Sydney

Olympic Park is the only sporting precinct in Greater Sydney capable of hosting the massive crowds that the biggest sporting and entertainment blockbusters are capable of attracting.

NSW Minister for Sport and Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events, Stuart Ayres, estimated the two football blockbusters alone were worth in excess of $16 million for the NSW economy.

“Twenty per cent of tickets sold for each of these games were from visitors interstate or overseas. That’s people spending money in our hotels, restaurants, cafes and bars.

“The week has once again shown Sydney is the destination of choice for the biggest events in the Asia-Pacific.”

More than 76 per cent of fans who attended these games used public transport, with another 1.2 per cent coming on chartered private coaches. Olympic Park Station welcomed or said farewell to 27,600 fans per hour during the busiest times pre-and-post games.

The dual visits by EPL giants Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea FC were a coup for the NSW Government’s lead agency for tourism and major events, Destination NSW, which in conjunction with ANZ Stadium, brought the clubs to Sydney.

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STADIUM STATE OF ORIGIN I

TWO BLUES IN 2016 Arthur Stanley

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YDNEY will host two State of Origin games in 2016 – Origin I and III. That’s the good news.

Because this year, there was no Origin fairytale.

Many of the 80,122 fans who packed into ANZ Stadium for Holden State of Origin Game I on Wednesday 27 May were still recalling the joyous scenes that followed the NSW Blues’ drought-breaking series 12 months earlier.

When Hodko scored to put the Blues in front; when Gal and Laurie embraced in centrefield; and when The Hayne Plane soared over the fence and into the middle of the Blatchy’s Blues throng at the famous northern end of ANZ Stadium.

But not this year. A clinical second-half performance from the Maroons and a perfectly-executed Cooper Cronk field goal gave Queensland an 11-10 win over a resolute Blues side that suffered from a serious lack of execution late in the game.

It was a measure of the defensive capabilities of Laurie Daley’s men on their own tryline that they conceded just two tries in 80 minutes

despite handing a raft of the best attacking rugby league players of their generation chance after chance at their line.

Having taken a 10-6 lead to halftime, the Blues just never got going in the second half and, crucially, they lacked execution in the big moments.

The Blues failed to set for a field goal and a Michael Jennings grubber went dead to gift a seven-tackle set from where Cronk showed the Blues how it’s done, nailing a one-pointer with clinical precision just five minutes from time.

The Blues have an extraordinary record at ANZ Stadium – winning 4 of their last 6 Origin games at the Sydney Olympic Park venue and 6 of their last 8 when hosting Game I. Make sure you are part of it in 2016.

Holden State of Origin Game I, Wednesday 27 May 2015 ANZ Stadium Queensland 11 (Cronk, Chambers tries; Thurston goal; Cronk field goal) NSW 10 (Morris, Scott tries; Hodkinson goal).

Halftime: NSW 10-6.

Crowd: 80,122.

Pictures: Eliot Cohen

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MORE THAN A GAME SYDNEY EMBRACES EPL GIANTS Arthur Stanley

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HIS was not just about football. When English Premier League clubs Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea FC arrived for back-to-back fixtures against Sydney FC, the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency Destination NSW – in conjunction with ANZ Stadium – used the visit as an opportunity to showcase all that is great about Sydney, and to take fan engagement to an entirely new level.

Spurs players climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge with a group of fans before snapping selfies at the top, and held numerous community coaching clinics including one with the Special Olympics program at Birchgrove Oval.

There were hospital visits and player signing opportunities in the city, plus a free open training session in which players and fans mingled freely.

Chelsea were welcomed by rapturous applause at Sydney Airport with a horde of fans following them throughout their visit. Legendary manager Jose Mourinho and his coaching staff took to Sydney Harbour, while stars such as captain John Terry and EPL Player of the Year Eden Hazard engaged with fans at every opportunity.

With the EPL club visits coinciding with Vivid Sydney, images of Spurs players were projected on to the pylons of the Sydney Harbour Bridge on Thursday night before the whole city turned blue on Tuesday to acknowledge the presence of mighty Chelsea – the EPL champions. The back-to-back visits by the EPL giants was a coup for Desintation NSW with Government estimates indicating the tours were worth more than $16 million to the NSW economy. More than 20 per cent of all tickets sold were to interstate or international visitors.

The tours were also a win for the world game with Football Federation Australia using the presence of Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea FC to promote the round ball game in Greater Western Sydney. More than 150,000 fans witnessed Tottenham v Sydney FC (71,549) and Chelsea FC v Sydney FC (83,598) at ANZ Stadium, with another 14,349 turning out for free training sessions featuring the glamour clubs. This was a week Sydney will long remember.

Picture: Destination NSW

STADIUM FAN ENGAGEMENT

Picture: Destination NSW

‘THE WELCOME WE

RECEIVED WAS JUST UNBELIEVABLE. IT WAS NICE TO BE ABLE TO GIVE BACK TO THE FANS.’ − HARRY KANE ‘THE PEOPLE OF SYDNEY ARE SO NICE. THE WELCOME WAS SO WARM IT WAS A LITTLE HARD TO EVEN GET OUT OF OUR HOTEL’ − JOSÉ MOURINHO 15

STADIUM TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

THEY KANE, THEY CONQUERED Julian Keith

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OR three days Tottenham Hotspur wowed Sydney and for 90 minutes they wowed ANZ Stadium.

Spurs brought something special to the city, attending as many fan engagement opportunities as possible before their AIA Cup clash against Sydney FC – a touch of class from one of English football’s greatest clubs.

It was that class that drew 71,549 football fans to ANZ Stadium where they witnessed the Tottenham boys dazzle their way to a thoroughly entertaining 1-0 win over Sydney FC. Spurs, living up to their English Premier League billing, attacked hard and fast from the outset; leaving Sydney FC camped around their 18-yard-box for much of the first half.

To their credit the Sky Blues defended gallantly but, on the brink of halftime, they could only watch as Spurs’ wonder-boy Harry Kane put the Londoners in front.

It was the perfect counter-attack; Erik Lamela sent Kane through on goal who, as he did so often during the Premier League season, fired an exquisite finish across Ivan Necevski’s goal and into the net.

The Stadium erupted – it was the goal everyone came to see and a goal worth seeing from one of England’s brightest young talents.

Sydney pushed hard for an equaliser early in the second half, putting substitute goalkeeper Michel Vorm to the test – but in the end the Londoners’ class was too much for the Sky Blues whose bold performance demonstrated a prideful account of Australian football.

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AIA Cup, 2015 Saturday 30 May ANZ Stadium Tottenham Hotspur 1 (Kane, 43’) Sydney FC 0.

Crowd: 71, 549

Pictures: Eliot Cohen

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STADIUM CHELSEA FC

FANS SAY HOORAY FOR JOSÉ Julian Keith

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NE of world football’s greatest clubs. The English Premier League champions. Here, in Sydney.

“This is surreal,” admitted Sydney FC manager Graham Arnold.

It seems the whole country, including the opposition manager, were in awe of English giants Chelsea FC. Hundreds greeted them at the airport, 10,629 turned up just for a training session, fans formed a 300m line to be photographed with the EPL Trophy and Capital One Cup (pictured right), and a monster crowd of 83,598 witnessed their 1-0 defeat of a brave Sydney FC. The expectations were high, but Chelsea delivered without a fault.

Charismatic manager Jose Mourinho and his squad of superstars brought a swagger to Sydney that only true champions can carry – giving a performance deserving of the magnificent crowd that gathered to watch them.

PFA Players’ Player of the Season, Eden Hazard, hypnotised the opposition and received raucous applause every time he drove with the ball at the Sydney FC defence.

The biggest cheers, however, were reserved for Loic Remy who, in the 30th minute, gifted Chelsea the lead with a goal befitting of the champions. Cutting in on his left foot, the French striker sent a curling, fizzing strike into the far corner that forced everyone to their feet in boisterous celebration – the game’s only goal was one that deserved to be match-winner.

Chelsea entered the game just 10 days removed from lifting their fourth English Premier League title and Mourinho took the opportunity to blood some of the club’s most outstanding young talent to prepare them for the next step in their careers.

Sydney FC kept two of England’s best teams to just two goals in four days – a proud end to a phenomenal week of football and a super sporting week for Sydney.

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Chelsea FC v Sydney FC Tuesday 2 June ANZ Stadium Chelsea FC 1 (Remy, 30’) Sydney FC 0 Crowd: 83, 598

Pictures: Eliot Cohen

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STADIUM MEMBERS’ DINNER

THE NIGHT OF NIGHTS CHAMPIONS, CHARITIES, COACHES AND COMEDIANS. THE 5TH ANNUAL MEMBERS’ DINNER HAD IT ALL. Crystelle Cordero

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HE field at ANZ Stadium is no stranger to superstars, but the 5th Annual Members’ Dinner on Wednesday 13 May − aptly titled An Evening with Champions & Superstars – saw something special.

Giants across all four football codes mingled with 700 of ANZ Stadium’s Members and guests, signing autographs, talking shop and taking selfies.

South Sydney Rabbitohs hero and captain Greg Inglis, Wallabies and Waratahs superstar Israel Folau, Sydney Swans co-captain Kieren Jack, Socceroos legend Brett Emerton, Bulldogs champion Josh Reynolds, Wests Tigers’ rising superstar Luke Brooks, and new ANZ Stadium Ambassador Benji Marshall, were just a few of the special guests who enjoyed drinks with Members on the hallowed turf. Then it was upstairs to the Gold Members’ Dining Room for an unbeatable line-up of interviews with the coaches and champions of sport and, of course, a delicious three-course dinner.

After an update on the latest news surrounding ANZ Stadium’s Redevelopment Project by John Clarke and a moving thank-you from James Stormon, Director Clinical Programs at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, MC Damian Kelly welcomed Reynolds, Marshall, Jack, Inglis, Folau and Brooks to the stage for an all-in Q & A, where no questions were out of bounds.

After enjoying mains of sweet soy glazed chicken and lamb mignons, Members were on the edge of their seats for the Champion Coaches interviews with 2014 Origin series winning NSW Blues coach Laurie Daley, Super Rugby title-winning Waratahs coach Michael Cheika and 2014 NRL Premiership-winning Rabbitohs coach, Michael Maguire.

Comedian Vince Sorrenti had the entire room laughing before Mark Bosnich and Emerton took to the stage to look back at the AFC Asian Cup and the Socceroos, and discuss the significance of the Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea FC visits.

Silent auctions and raffles rounded out the night, reminding us all of the most important aspect of the evening – the Stadium’s commitment to supporting the health and wellbeing of young Australians.

A record $40,327 was raised for The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, which will cover the cost of a ceiling hoist, used to help transfer and move young patients who are wheelchair-bound.

The last word goes to Rabbitohs superstar Greg Inglis: “The players can see this is a special night for the Stadium Members . . . and it is for a very worthy cause.”

Pictures: Eliot Cohen

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STADIUM BLEDISLOE CUP

IZZY’S BLEDISLOE DREAM

‘THE CHANCE

TO PLAY FOR THAT SILVER MONSTROSITY AND CONFRONT THE HAKA ARE PRIME REASONS WHY THEY MAKE THE CHANGE TO RUGBY.’

GREG GROWDEN

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HE Australian Rugby Union has, in recent times, attempted to bolster its ranks and heighten its level of exposure by luring highprofile rugby league players to the 15-man code.

Through the advantage of not having a salary cap, the ARU has succeeded in attracting a number of prominent league identities, including Lote Tuqiri, Wendell Sailor, Mat Rogers and, most recently, Israel Folau, even if his arrival to rugby union was via an AFL sidetrack.

For numerous league players, the money on offer in the once strictly amateur code, both here and overseas, has often been impossible to resist.

In such a congested market place, with four football codes vying for attention in Australia, it is not surprising that the ARU has often attempted to undermine its most vehement rival by enticing its best away.

It’s not just one-upmanship, but a concerted pursuit to ensure that Australia remains near the top of the international pecking order and can at least be competitive in that most important duel – the endlessly excruciating tussle with New Zealand for the Bledisloe Cup. To have even a fair chance against the All Blacks, Australia must be unpredictable, provocative and inventive, which has seen those who have moved from the league ranks often pushed straight into Bledisloe Cup encounters in the hope that they can provide a winning edge.

The league identities don’t mind – as they are all immediately dazzled by the pageantry of a Bledisloe Cup Tests and how much these games mean to those on the other side of the Tasman.

So many of the Wallabies’ converts say the chance to play for that silver monstrosity and confront the haka is a prime reason why they were convinced into making the change.

An international contest with immense meaning and tradition as the Bledisloe Cup is so irresistible to the high achiever.

However, all those recent code hoppers have found winning a Bledisloe Cup Test is no simple task, quickly discovering via the

experience of a losing dressing room exactly why Australia boast an underwhelming 27 per cent Test success rate against New Zealand.

It is not as if Australia hasn’t been warned, with a Sydney Morning Herald editorial as far back as 1884 booming: “Rugby isn’t our game . . . we’ll always court defeat if we play the New Zealanders.”

It remains the New Zealand game, but the situation has gradually improved.

Nonetheless, not even the NRL can boast such a forbidding beast as the All Blacks monster that has, for well over a century and 152 Tests, taken sheer delight in humiliating Australian rugby teams, even those with big-name league infiltrators who were supposed to make a difference.

In his four seasons with the Wallabies, Rogers was a quality international performer, but he only appeared in two winning sides during his nine Bledisloe Cup encounters.

Tuqiri also acquitted himself well, but in his 14 Bledisloe appearances, 10 were losses.

Berrick Barnes, who moved across from the Brisbane Broncos, finished with a two-out-of-12 Trans-Tasman success rate.

The most successful was Sailor, with two wins out of his five Tests against the All Blacks between 2002-2005.

As for Australian Rugby’s latest big hope – the hugely-talented Folau – he is still waiting for Bledisloe Cup joy.

So far the Wallaby fullback’s record sits at no wins, five losses and one draw against New Zealand.

It makes the upcoming 8 August Test at ANZ Stadium such an important fixture for him, as where better to enjoy an initial triumph over the All Blacks than in the region of Sydney where he grew up, and at the Stadium where he has played at the elite level in three professional football codes. *Greg Growden, a former Sydney Morning Herald journalist, is one of Australia’s foremost rugby writers and commentators.

Bledisloe Cup Saturday 8 August See Page 29 for Member dining options.

Picture: Eliot Cohen

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STADIUM FOOTBALL

BRING ON THE NEXT CUP RAY GATT

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OW that the dust has settled, where to for the Socceroos?

Such is the hectic, crazy world of football, Australia and coach Ange Postecoglou have barely had time to enjoy and digest the historic result in winning the Asian Cup in January in front of just over 76,000 mostly delighted fans at ANZ Stadium in what was a standout night for the code in this country.

The AFC Asian Cup was a magnificent tournament that exceeded all expectations with a huge turnout of fans providing passion and colour and a high quality of football. It ended with a fitting climax that showcased all that is good about Sydney and Australia.

Australia showed yet again how well it can do world-class sporting events and this surely sent a clear message to the sport’s powerbrokers that the decision not to hand it the hosting rights to the 2022 World Cup was flawed to the extreme.

James Troisi’s extra-time winner handed the Socceroos their first Asian Cup at a third attempt and, in the process, confirmed soccer’s growing stature in the mainstream of Australian sport.

Make no mistake, coming on top of the remarkable success of the A-League, this was a massive statement.

To win such a prestigious tournament is one thing, to win it in front of your home fans when you are the hunted, not the hunter, and when the pressure to succeed is multiplied 10-fold, was no mean feat.

It also has to be remembered the success was achieved amid a backdrop of huge concern.

The Socceroos have long been regarded as a jewel in the crown of the sport here, but a string of poor results in the previous 12 months had stripped away a lot of the glitter.

A disappointing World Cup in Brazil last June did not help the cause, albeit Postecoglou was just seven months into his tenure and attempting to rebuild a squad that had become stagnant due to the lack of foresight of some of his predecessors.

But, from the moment Australia beat Oman 4-1 in their opening match at the AFC Asian Cup, we knew that Postecoglou’s influence was starting to bear fruit.

The players were now singing from the same hymn sheet and enjoying the attacking freedom their coach was only too happy to push.

The culmination was a 2-1 win over South Korea in the Asian Cup final – a result that certainly lifted the spirits of the local fans and helped allay fears for the future.

With the emergence of the likes of goalkeeper Maty Ryan, defender Trent Sainsbury, Troisi and the immensely talented Massimo Luongo,

A night to remember . . . celebrations erupt after the Socceroos’ historic AFC Asian Cup victory at ANZ Stadium.

‘MAKE NO MISTAKE, THE SOCCEROOS WINNING THE AFC ASIAN CUP WAS A MASSIVE STATEMENT FOR FOOTBALL IN THIS COUNTRY’ the Socceroos will go into the their next phase – the Asian World Cup qualifiers – with renewed hope of qualifying for a fourth successive World Cup in Russia in 2018.

For many fans, Luongo, who plays for Swindon Town in the third tier of English football, was a revelation.

The young midfielder played as though he had been an international for a decade. His passing was crisp, his vision outstanding and his ability to score goals played a huge part in lifting the trophy.

He has since carried on that good form with Swindon and many good judges believe it won’t be long before he is playing in the Premier League.

By the time the Cup qualifiers come around, Postecoglou will have

had the benefit of two friendlies against world champions Germany in Kaiserslautern and FYR Macedonia in Skopje in March.

Importantly, the Socceroos, as Asian champions, have qualified to play in the Confederations Cup in Russia in 2017 which will be a very valuable precursor to the World Cup the following year.

As World Cup hosts, Russia are automatically included in the Confederations Cup as are Germany. Europe will provide another team: the winner of Euro 2016.

The champion nations from South America, Africa, North America and Oceania will make up the rest of the eight-team tournament.

While they have not won the Confederations Cup, the Socceroos have a decent record, having qualified three times.

They made the final in Saudi Arabia in 1997 only to lose to a red-hot Brazil 6-0 after Mark Viduka was sent off in the first half.

They qualified again in 2001 when the tournament was co-hosted

by Japan and South Korea, making the semi-finals only to lose 1-0 to Japan before winning the play-off for third with a 1-0 win over Brazil.

The 2005 tournament in Germany was a disaster.

The Socceroos finished eight of the eight teams and those results eventually led to the sacking of coach Frank Farina.

Fortunately, the Socceroos are in a completely different space now.

A new golden age beckons. *Ray Gatt is Chief Football Writer for The Australian newspaper.

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STADIUM TRANSPORT

LIGHT RAIL ROUTE WOULD UNLOCK OLYMPIC CORRIDOR Arthur Stanley

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YDNEY sports fans would be huge winners under a gamechanging transport plan for big business to help fund a new Light Rail project that aims to bring trams to the front gates of ANZ Stadium and connect Greater Western Sydney.

A new report examining the light rail route along the Olympic Corridor has encouraged the private sector and NSW Government to work together to deliver a precinct that is expected to house more than one third of all new jobs and almost 20 per cent of new dwellings in Western Sydney by 2036.

The report by Deloitte and respected urban planner, Rod Simpson, Restarting Sydney’s Heart – Light Rail the Engine of Change, examines the opportunities that a light rail line along Sydney’s Olympic Corridor would deliver. The Olympic Corridor begins at Westmead and connects the burgeoning Parramatta area with Rosehill, Camellia, Olympic Park, Rhodes and Strathfield.

The report was commissioned by the WestLine Partnership, comprising some of Sydney’s leaders in business, government, sport and development.

The Light Rail route through the Olympic Corridor would cut travelling time in half from Parramatta or Strathfield to Sydney Olympic Park. The proposed Light Rail link is potentially a massive boost for Sydney sports fans, who would get to and from events at ANZ Stadium much faster and with fewer travelling issues.

WestLine spokesperson and Chair of the Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue, Christopher Brown, said the Deloitte report indicated that the creation of two light rail lines – one from Rosehill to Carlingford and the other from Westmead to Strathfield/Rhodes along the Olympic Corridor, was not only cost-effective, but would also

THE PLAN TO GET FANS MOVING • Proposal for Olympic Corridor Light Rail to connect Parramatta with Rosehill, Sydney Olympic Park, Rhodes and Strathfield.

• Light Rail link would move 5000 passengers per hour in both directions through the Corridor: 40 light rail services would replace 200 buses on the roads.

• Work has started on the WestConnex motorway, linking the CBD with Sydney Olympic Park and Parramatta.

• Motorists will get from the city to Sydney Olympic Park in half the time. unlock the potential of one of Australia’s fastest growing regions.

“The report findings show that there is a strong argument for the route along the Olympic Corridor, which will stimulate the growth of more smart jobs, homes and development,” he said.

“The Olympic Corridor is an often over-looked region when it comes to transport infrastructure, but over the next 20 years, with the right support, it is expected to house more than one third of all new jobs and almost 20 per cent of new dwellings in Western Sydney.”

WORK has officially begun on WestConnex – Sydney’s new worldclass motorway. On 8 March, the first sod was turned on the M4 Widening Project, which is due for completion in two years.

The $11.8 billion WestConnex will connect the CBD with Sydney Olympic Park and Parramatta in a continuous free-flowing motorway.

It’s the largest transport project in Australia – a 33km motorway that will transform Sydney and provide game-changing access to ANZ Stadium, home to many of the nation’s biggest events.

Motorists heading to ANZ Stadium from the city will no longer have to travel on Parramatta road at any stage. Visit westconnex.com.au.

A LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN JOHN CLARKE, CHAIRMAN STADIUM AUSTRALIA CLUB

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elcome to Members’ Central – the dedicated Members’ section of STADIUM magazine. ANZ Stadium Members will find essential information here about booking events, Member dining, attending matches and exclusive Member offers.

With the 2015 football season in full swing we have already enjoyed some great action at the Stadium this year, including a bumper Easter weekend of NRL featuring four of our home teams the Rabbitohs, Bulldogs, Eels and Tigers and Round 1 of the AFL season, Swans v Essendon, which collectively attracted over 95,000 fans.

Then it was the week of blockbuster events commencing with a rematch of 2014’s Super

Picture: Eliot Cohen

MEMBERS’ CENTRAL

Rugby Final when the Waratahs took on the Crusaders, a nail-biter State of Origin I, followed by the two bonus events featuring English Premier League teams Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea FC. The second half of the year is set to be just as thrilling. Members can look forward to the only Bledisloe Cup on Australian soil on 8 August, the business end of the NRL season and the NRL Grand Final. Plus, there is the added bonus of NRL and AFL finals (should our home teams qualify to host).

It was my great pleasure to meet many of

you at the 5th Annual Members Dinner in May. It was once again a great night featuring our Stadium Ambassadors and high-profile sporting champions and superstars.

The dinner was a huge success with more than $40,000 raised for the Children’s Hospital at Westmead. You can read more about the Members’ Dinner on Pages 20-21.

Keep an eye out for details of next year’s dinner. I hope to see you there.

I am also delighted to announce a new range of Members’ merchandise (Page 28).

We are constantly looking to improve the Member experience at the Stadium, and encourage you to provide any Member related feedback to the Member Services Department (details listed below) or on event day at the new Members’ Concierge desk located in the Members’ Lounge on Level 4.

I look forward to seeing you at the Stadium.

Membership Renewals Pay your annual subscription 24 hours a day www.anzstadium.com.au/members Option 3

Mail ANZ Stadium Member Services Locked Bag 1999, Sydney Olympic Park, NSW, 2127

Member Services For all other membership enquiries www.anzstadium.com.au/members Email: membership@anzstadium.com.au Option 2 Fax: +61 2 8765 2999

Member Services Contact Hours Non Event Days: Monday to Friday (excluding Public Holidays) 9am to 5.30pm.

Reserved Event Days: By telephone 2 hours prior to gate opening. Box office opens 30 minutes prior to gate opening time.

Membership Sales Call our sales team today on 02 8765 2600

General Admission Event Days Box Office M/N only, 30 minutes prior to gate opening time.

AS an ANZ Stadium Member, your ticket to every game is included in your Membership.

Want to be part of the action? Become an ANZ Stadium Member today at anzstadium.com.au/membership or call (02) 8765 2600.

MEMBER SERVICES CONTACTS Member Services Online www.anzstadium.com.au/members ANZ Stadium Members’ Information Line 1300 136 006 Members’ Box Office Event booking and all ticketing enquiries.

Book online at: www.anzstadium.com.au/members Option 1 Members’ Dining To book your dining, book online at: www.anzstadium.com.au/members Option 1

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MEMBERS’ CENTRAL

FINALS ARE JUST AROUND THE CORNER A

s a Member you will have access to any NRL or AFL finals that are scheduled at the Stadium. Given the current performance of the Sydney Swans, there is a high probability that one or more AFL finals will be held at the Stadium. An unpredictable start to the NRL season will keep us guessing until the end and ANZ Stadium will host NRL finals should the Stadium’s home teams the Rabbitohs, Dragons, Bulldogs, Tigers or Eels qualify. Given the short notice for confirmation of finals matches, any finals held at the Stadium will operate as either General Admission events or First To Book events.

Should ANZ Stadium be confirmed as the host venue for any finals, be sure to check Members’ eNews and our website. We will confirm Member access (General Admission or First To Book), which seating sections of the Members’ Reserve will be open, the price and

availability of guest tickets, and what dining and facilities will be available. Please note that this information is unlikely to be available any earlier than the week before any potential matches.

NRL: Keep cheering for Sydney teams as all finals hosted by Sydney teams in any week of the Finals series will be played at either ANZ Stadium or the Sydney Football Stadium.

AFL: Should the Sydney Swans qualify to host any home finals they will be played at ANZ Stadium. It should be noted that as the NRL and AFL finals run concurrently, there is the possibility that the NRL and the AFL will seek to schedule finals matches on the same date.

Stadium management will do everything possible to ensure that such clashes are avoided to maximise the number of finals played at ANZ Stadium. The Members’ Fan Pass is not valid for NRL finals matches.

WIN A TRIP TO THE RUGBY WORLD CUP - SEE PAGE 35

BRING A GUEST FOR LESS SS FAN PA 2015

FAN PASS

JUNIO

R - 20

027462 0274

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Enjoying the NRL season? Share the Members’ experience with a friend with a Members’ Fan Pass*. This pass is valid for all remaining season matches held at ANZ Stadium in 2015!

ADULT 1 Pass $110.00 2 Passes $195.00 CHILD 1 Pass $65.00 2 Passes $110.00

3 Passes $270.00 3 Passes $160.00

Purchase online anzstadium.com.au/members or call 1300 136 006 (Option 2).

* Exclusive to ANZ Stadium Members. Each Members’ Fan Pass acts as a Paying guest ticket for the events for which it’s valid. Three guests may access each event per the number of rights a Member holds. Not valid for any finals matches.

MEMBERS’ CENTRAL

MEMBERS’ BOOKING GUIDE EVENT

BOOKING CLOSE DATE

PAYING GUEST TICKET PRICE

ARENA

Swans v Hawthorn 18 July

17 July or Members’ Box Office M/N on match day

Adult $68.00 / Junior $30.50

(BOOKINGS REQUIRED) Three-courses $124^ Two-courses - $97^

Bledisloe Cup 8 August

Closed - waitlist now

NRL Grand Final 4 October

2015 NRL Season Club Home Games

$159

(BOOKINGS REQUIRED) Five-courses - $157^

(BOOKINGS REQUIRED) Three-courses $124^ (BOOKINGS REQUIRED) Three-courses $124^

21 August

$260

(BOOKINGS REQUIRED) Five-courses - $157^

No booking required

Adult $30.00 / Junior $15.00

STADIUM CAFE (NO BOOKINGS REQUIRED) Bistro-style meals $7.50- $29

^ Beverage package included, featuring premium wines and beer.

MEMBERS’ RESTAURANT

MEMBERS’ BRASSERIE

PLATINUM CAFÉ

MEMBER TERRACES

(BOOKINGS REQUIRED) Buffet - $105^ or $76

(NO BOOKINGS REQUIRED) Bistro-style meals $7.40 - $18.50

(NO BOOKINGS REQUIRED) Meals, bar and snacks

(BOOKINGS REQUIRED) Buffet - $116^ or $87

(NO BOOKINGS REQUIRED) Bistro-style meals $7.40 - $18.50

(NO BOOKINGS REQUIRED) Meals, bar and snacks

(NO BOOKINGS REQUIRED) Bistro-style meals $7.40 - $18.50

(NO BOOKINGS REQUIRED) Meals, bar and snacks

(BOOKINGS REQUIRED) Buffet - $116^ or $87 (2 SITTINGS)

(NO BOOKINGS REQUIRED) Bar and snacks

ARENA

MEMBERS’ BRASSERIE

MEMBER TERRACES

The ultimate Members’ dining experience located on Level 5. Platinum Member priority.

A magnificent menu of enticing, immaculately prepared cuisine, matched with outstanding wine and exemplary service.

Sumptuous hot and cold buffet featuring our chef’s specialities from seafood to carved roasts, a range of desserts and cheeses.

Available to all Members and their guests.

Beverage package optional.

The Member Sin Bin and Cauldron Terraces offer fast gourmet meals with great views of the field of play. Access from the Level 1 concourse. Full range of fast food and snacks.

MEMBERS’ RESTAURANT

PLATINUM CAFÉ

STADIUM CAFÉ

Outstanding pre-match dining featuring a seasonally designed set menu incorporating the finest Australian produce. Available to all Members and their guests.

The southern end of the Lounge is exclusive to Platinum Members to enjoy a café meal or drink from the Platinum Bar. Quick and relaxed, bistro-style meals.

Quick and relaxed pre-match dining with a view of the field. Serving bistro favourites complemented by an extensive range of premium beer and wine.

MEMBERS’ DINING CANCELLATIONS/AMENDMENTS Dining – Terms and Conditions. A 100% cancellation fee will be incurred if a reservation is not cancelled or amended 5 full working days prior to the event. For example, for an event held on Sunday 4 October, cancellations or amendments must be made in writing by 5pm, Friday 25 September. This will also apply if you do not attend to dine on the day of the event.

29

MEMBERS’ CENTRAL

MEMBERS ARE WINNERS ANZ Stadium Members were given the chance to win a money-can’t-buy experiences when English Premier League teams Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea came to town.

Congratulations to the winners!

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR - THE GOLDEN CIRCLE

Members Arun Sengupta and Matthew Macey won the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get up close and personal with the Tottenham team at their open training session on 29 June. They enjoyed the spectacle of the training session from VIP seats before meeting the entire squad, including superstar Harry Kane, for an exclusive autograph and photo session.

PRE-MATCH PITCH WALK: Members Tim Spencer and Arthur Ilias won the chance to stand on the side of the field to watch the Tottenham team go through their paces during warm-up prior to the game against Sydney FC.

CHELSEA ESCORTS: Frederick

Sassine (10) and Harrison Wagland (5) won the two Members’ places to escort the Chelsea FC team onto the field at the Chelsea FC v Sydney FC match. Harrison, the nephew of Member Michael McGowan, and Frederick, the son of Member Simon Sassine, were both issued with a Chelsea kit and reported that it was an experience they will never forget.

MEMBERS’ MERCHANDISE

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We are pleased to introduce an exclusive range of merchandise for ANZ Stadium Members. The themed range includes a ladies and gents polo, a junior tee, a wind/spray jacket, a cap, a scarf, a tie and a handy bottle-opener key ring.

Visit the Members’ Concierge desk on Level 4 on event day, or go online at anzstadium.com.au/members-concierge/merchandise to check out the range.

Send us a suggestion for a merchandise item that you would like to see in our range by emailing membership@anzstadium.com.au.

HALF-TIME SALE ANZ STADIUM MEMBERSHIP

It’s half-time at ANZ Stadium and there’s plenty more action to come. Guarantee your seat to every single game − including Australia’s only Bledisloe Cup, NRL & AFL Finals^, NRL Grand Final and more. Plus access to everything Members-only.

Play now, pay later with our new monthly payment plan option and experience all the action now.

02 8765 2600 ANZSTADIUM.COM.AU

*Only $743 annual subscription + one-off joining fee reduced from $1247 to $947.

Offer valid till 5pm, Friday 7 August 2015. ^Subject to team qualification.

*

STADIUM MEETINGS & SPECIAL EVENTS

THE WOW FACTOR MAKE THE STADIUM YOUR PLAYGROUND Crystelle Cordero

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VER attended a boardroom breakfast in the middle of an iconic football field? Played Wii against your boss on a 22m x 11m super screen? Abseiled off a stadium roof with your workmates? If the answer’s no, it’s time to start re-thinking your corporate events.

It’s no secret that as Sydney’s premier sporting destination, ANZ Stadium holds over 50 sports and entertainment events every year.

What a lot of people don’t know is this: that when the footballers untie their laces and the crowds head home, the stadium takes on another dimension.

The ANZ Stadium Meetings and Special Events Team holds more than 160 corporate and private events every season, ranging from cocktail functions on the field to international conferences and obstacle races. Read on to discover how you can make ANZ Stadium your ultimate playground.

CONFERENCES WHETHER you need space for 50 people or 1000, ANZ Stadium is perfectly designed for hosting conferences. “We’ve got the facilities you’d expect from any conference centre or five star hotel, but with the added difference of being able to overlook the field or go behind the scenes of the Stadium. We offer guided stadium tours for your group.”

COCKTAILS ON THE FIELD IF there’s ever a way to get your staff excited about a work function, it’s by holding your next Christmas party or end-of-year event on the hallowed turf of ANZ Stadium. “What truly makes ANZ Stadium so unique is the game-day influence we can include in your corporate events,” says Meetings & Special Events Manager, David Greselin. “Walk the same footsteps as international superstars through the change rooms and players’ tunnel, hear the roar of 80,000 cheering fans as you enter the field to see your company logo on the stadium big screens, take complete ownership of the stadium and impress your guests with an experience to remember.

“Corporate events are no longer about sitting in a boring function room listening to endless speeches. At ANZ Stadium we’re all about ensuring your staff and guests can interact with each other and have a great time. It’s about creating a memorable experience for everyone to walk away with.”

GALA DINNERS WHETHER it’s a formal dinner for the NSW Business Chamber or a Hollywood themed function, Gala Dinners at ANZ Stadium bring the grandeur, style and service you’re after. “If you tie in drinks on the field to start the evening and then move upstairs for the Gala Dinner, it’s very easy to create a real wow factor.”

SPECIAL EVENTS

EXHIBITIONS BIG businesses regularly host their exhibitions at ANZ Stadium, with Rebel Sport and Toys R Us utilising the Boulevard Lounge and Millennium Room for their annual exhibitions. With the ability to hold up to 80 booths, ANZ Stadium’s rooms are perfectly sized in terms of both comfort and space.

TWILIGHT movie nights with beanbags on the field, abseiling from the stadium roof, jumping castles, rock climbing walls, laser shooting, obstacle courses. “Give us your most imaginative ideas and we’ll find a way to make it happen,” says Greselin. “Businesses come to us because they want to take their team building days to the next level. They want something memorable. We hold weddings and formals at the stadium every year. It’s the sports lover’s dream.”

Thinking of booking a function, event or Christmas party at ANZ Stadium?

Email functions@anzstadium.com.au or call 8765 3102 and quote the words “Unforgettable Events” for free room hire & discounted catering prices.

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STADIUM OFFICIAL HOSPITALITY

MAKING LIFE EZY CORPORATE GUESTS ARE WINNING AT ANZ STADIUM, REPORTS CRYSTELLE CORDERO

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N an exciting upgrade for corporate guests, ANZ Stadium has recently moved to digital ezyTickets. “We wanted to introduce the ezyTickets as it provided our clients with a lot more flexibility,” says Sponsorship & Corporate Hospitality Manager, Chris Silver. “Instead of relying on mail-outs for the old hard tickets, this system allows clients to download their tickets and send them out to their guests in a quicker, easier manner. It also provides clients with the opportunity to replace any lost or misplaced tickets more easily.”

In play for a few months already, the feedback has been largely positive. “The majority of our corporate clients love how convenient it is to distribute multiple tickets to their guests - and to track where they’ve gone. It also saves a lot on express postage! We’ll continue to guide our clients and enhance the process.”

KEEPING YOU CONNECTED TELSTRA and ANZ Stadium took crowd interaction to the next level on Saturday 30 May at Tottenham Hotspur v Sydney FC, showing fans the many benefits of enjoying live sport from a Connected Stadium.

As part of Telstra’s Thanks Loyalty initiative, anyone who used the hashtag #THFCvSYD was in the running for surprise and delight moments, such as seat upgrades to Centreline and tickets into the Telstra Connected Lounge. In order to promote the free Wi-Fi available at ANZ Stadium, Telstra also provided Wi-Fi coaches in the precinct to demonstrate the system to fans and assist them to connect to the Stadium Wi-Fi. “As the company who built the infrastructure around our Stadium Wi-Fi, Telstra wanted to show fans the powers of what a Connected Stadium can do,” explains Sponsorship & Corporate Hospitality Manager, Chris Silver. “You can now view bespoke content as well as share your experience in the Stadium with family and friends through your social media footprint. It’s all possible - and a lot faster thanks to the free Stadium Wi-Fi.”

TAKE ME TO THE TROPHY ROOM BLEDISLOE Cup. It’s one of the great sporting events of the season, and a must for every rugby fan. Besides a win from the Wallabies, ANZ Stadium is now offering another way to up the entertainment and excitement factor with a cocktail function in The Trophy Room from $900 per person including GST. Along with ex-Wallaby players and coaches sharing insight to the game, a few of the key highlights include: the function hosted in a glass-fronted room overlooking the field, dedicated Level 4 reserved seating for the game, sumptuous food served throughout the evening, a premium beverage package, official programs and merchandise, celebrity speakers and live entertainment.

The Wallabies are out to break a 13-year Bledisloe Cup drought and the opening game of the 2015 series looms as a make-or-break opportunity for Michael Cheika’s men.

Don’t miss the chance to see Wallabies v All Blacks live at ANZ Stadium on Saturday 8 August.

Call 1300 13 40 10 to book the Bledisloe Cup Cocktail Function.

MEMBERS’ PROMOTION YOUR CHANCE TO GO TO THE RUGBY WORLD CUP EVER dreamed of seeing a Rugby World Cup Final live? Here’s your chance! “We’re running a fantastic promotion through our partnership with Lion, whereby an ANZ Stadium Member and their guest will win the opportunity to attend the Rugby World Cup Final at Twickenham Stadium in London,” explains Sponsorship & Corporate Hospitality Manager, Chris Silver Flights, accommodation, transfers, tickets to the Final and an invitation to Heineken’s post-match function are all included. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience to attend a Rugby World Cup Final.” How do you enter? Simply buy four Heinekens from any Members’ bar to receive your entry game card with a unique code which you enter on a dedicated Heineken website. A special Heineken Bar now operates at the northern end of the ANZ Stadium Members’ Lounge.

Promotion ends 31 August 2015.

35

THE VIEW

PEOPLE, PARTIES, FUN & GLAMOUR WITH TIFF & CHLOE TIFFANY HUNTER IS MARKETING MANAGER & CHLOE XUEREB IS SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER AT ANZ STADIUM

FROM FOOTBALLERS TO FASHIONISTAS A DAY rarely (if ever) goes by in the office without numerous football discussions: who’s in, who’s out, which teams will make the eight, who we’ve tipped for the weekend − you catch our drift.

There is however another F word we’re just as passionate about in the marketing team . . . Fashion.

So when Destination NSW invited us to attend Mercedez Benz Fashion Week, you can guess what our answer was. The VIP hospitality experience was, to put it simply, wonderful.

We were allocated a host for the day who showed us to our seats for each show. Steven Khalil, Bondi Bather and Kate Sylvester all put on an amazing show and left us dreaming of new wardrobes. Afterwards our host took us backstage to the VIP lounge, where we bumped into Benji and Zoe Marshall, Terry Biviano, Jesinta Campbell and Laura Dundovic. While we wouldn’t permanently trade our footy for fashion, it was certainly the highlight of our week!

LION TAMING

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ESCORTING celebrities around the Stadium for meet & greets on event days is part and parcel of working in the Marketing department here at ANZ Stadium. But we can hand on heart swear we’d never chaperoned two lions before the Chelsea FC team came to Sydney.

Stamford and Bridget were a huge hit with Members and Corporate guests – and thankfully very tame. After posing for around 500 photos in the Members’ Lounge and Centreline, we led the big cats down to the change rooms where they could put up their paws and enjoy a cup of tea before the game. It certainly made for a few raised eyebrows in the back rooms of ANZ Stadium!

BABY NATE STEALS THE GI SHOW ‘BEING A DAD

HAS CHANGED MY LIFE’

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HERE aren’t many people who can steal the spotlight from Rabbitohs’ captain and rugby league superstar Greg Inglis. But as we discovered at our recent Ambassadors photo-shoot, a pint-sized version of GI can do just that.

Baby Nate and Mum Sally came along to watch GI and go for lunch afterwards, but Nate, in his little “I love SSFC” shirt was soon a part of all the action. As we peppered GI with questions about his footy career, Nate sat on his father’s lap squealing with delight and attempting to answer for him.

Keen to see the Q & A with GI and Nate?

Head to the Ambassadors’ section of our website. Oh and you’ll never guess who big GI listens to before his games . . . none other than the queen of pop, Taylor Swift, who’s playing her one and only Sydney concert at ANZ Stadium on November 28.

DINING FOR A CAUSE WE love nothing more than an evening of laughs, glamour and superstars, and our 5th Annual Members’ Dinner delivered in spades.

The big names of Australian sport were in attendance: Inglis, Folau, Jack, Reynolds, Brooks, Daley, Cheika, Maguire and more, and the beautiful ladies of the sport (the NRL Premiership, Super Rugby and Asian Cup trophies, and Origin Shield) were out for the evening as well.

Over 700 of our valued Members and guests experienced an unforgettable night, which raised over $40,000 for The Children’s Hospital at Westmead. It’ll be hard to top this year’s event, but we’re already planning for another memorable Members’ Dinner in 2016!

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STADIUM DINING

THE GRAND FEAST

FOR most of us, cooking for eight people can seem daunting. But have you ever wondered what it must be like cooking for 83,000+ people? Here’s a play-by-play of what our 79 kitchens and 76 retail outlets pump through on the biggest of event days – NRL Grand Final.

233 233 Chefs in their whites, whipping up gourmet Corporate & Member meals.

x 105,300 Cups of beer sold. If stacked end-onend, they would stretch from Sydney Olympic Park to The University of Sydney in Camperdown.

8,500 - The number of corporate meals served on NRL Grand Final night

CORPORATE MEALS WILL BE SERVED INTO: • 7 FUNCTION ROOMS • 3 MEMBER RESTAURANTS • 110 CORPORATE SUITES • 120 ZONE BOXES, COACHES ROOMS, CHANGE ROOMS AND MEDIA BOXES 38

1806

CATERING STAFF SERVING THE FANS ON GRAND FINAL NIGHT.

x 10,770

x 13,252

x 913 kegs

x 413

18,430 BUCKETS OF CHIPS, MADE FROM 6.27 TONS OF POTATOES. THAT’S EQUIVALENT TO THE WEIGHT OF FOUR AND A HALF HOLDEN COMMODORES

x 18,425 18,425 bottles of water and 22,979 bottles of soft drinks.

Enough litres to fill 62 backyard paddling pools. Bottoms up!

3,206 GOURMET SANDWICHES

BOOK YOUR GRAND FINAL CORPORATE DINING PACKAGE 1300 13 40 10; ANZSTADIUM.COM.AU/OFFICIAL-HOSPITALITY

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STADIUM AWARDS

WINNER - INTERNATIONAL STADIUM BUSINESS AWARDS

FINALIST - WORLD SPORTS TECHNOLOGY AWARDS

ANZ STADIUM WINS INTERNATIONAL STADIUM BUSINESS AWARD Arthur Stanley

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YDNEY’S ANZ Stadium has once again been recognised on the international stage – winning a major award at the 2015 International Stadium Business Awards in Barcelona.

At a glittering function at Camp Nou Stadium in Barcelona, ANZ Stadium management was the recipient of the award for Guest Event of the Year, in partnership with Feld Entertainment, for the 2014 Monster Jam sports action spectacular held in Sydney.

To provide some context regarding the award’s significance, other nominees included the 2014 FIFA World Cup Opening Ceremony in Brazil and the 2014 Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony.

ANZ Stadium Managing Director, Daryl Kerry, said his team was humbled to win such a prestigious award. “Feld Entertainment is the largest family entertainment company in the world, having conducted more than 5000 shows across six continents in 75 countries to over 30 million people each year. Feld showcased the ANZ Stadium presentation of the Monster Jam show as its premier event ahead of over 350 other Monster Jam shows the company promoted in 2014,”

Mr Kerry said. “It has been a big year at ANZ Stadium, which has already welcomed more than 1 million fans through the gates to see events, including the AFC Asian Cup, the Foo Fighters concert, Holden State of Origin Game I, and back-to-back visits by English Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea FC.” Mr Kerry said the award presented in Barcelona on 11 June was a credit to the team at ANZ Stadium and “recognises our ongoing commitment to ensuring that all of our Stadium hirers are provided with outstanding service from the time an event is negotiated and signed, to it being planned, sold and ultimately delivered”.

Earlier this year, ANZ Stadium was also shortlisted as a Finalist at the 2015 World Sports Technology Awards after implementing a digital innovation, the Telstra Connected Stadium Lounge, that is taking the event experience to a new level in Australian sport.

The joint entry by Telstra, ANZ Stadium and global design company Populous was named as one of six finalists in the category Best use of Technology by a Venue, Arena or Stadium. The Lounge is an interactive technology hub where corporate guests and members of the public can immerse themselves in state-of-the-art technology.

THE BEST SEATS IN THE HOUSE ANZ STADIUM CENTRELINE SEATS

Enjoy an unbeatable view of the action from a seat that’s yours for 12 months from the time you join. With exclusive access to a chic bar and lounge – Centreline Seats are where you can truly live it up live.

ANZSTADIUM.COM.AU 1300 13 40 10

STADIUM ENTERTAINMENT

MONSTER MAYHEM THE JAM RETURNS TO SYDNEY

Julian Keith

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ARK down Saturday 17 October for one of the great family events of 2015 – the day the monster trucks take over ANZ Stadium.

The 2014 version of this sports action spectacular gave Feld Entertainment and ANZ Stadium the title of Guest Event of the Year at the International Stadium Business Awards in Barcelona.

Now it’s on again! Direct from the USA, Monster Jam is one of the most intense family entertainment experiences on the planet, performing to over four million people annually at some of the biggest stadiums in the world.

More than 50,000 fans are expected to witness a night of unforgettable action as young and old turn out at ANZ Stadium for one of 2015’s biggest (literally) shows.

To accommodate these huge machines, the stadium surface undergoes a complete transformation as 7500 tonnes of dirt is used to create a custom-designed track for the trucks to fly around and smash through.

The dirt track is laced with obstacles and ramps perfectly positioned to make the series of races and freestyle sessions a truly heart-pumping, edge-of-your-seat experience.

Built for short, high-powered bursts of speed, monster trucks generate 1500 to 2000 horsepower and are capable of speeds up to 160 kilometres per hour. These awesome machines can fly as far as 38 metres and as high as 10 metres in the air.

Monster Jam is as big as it gets – don’t miss out when these colourful machines crash their way back to ANZ Stadium this October. Make sure you bring the family and friends to an event rated by international judges as the finest Stadium guest event of 2014 anywhere in the world.

And for a special experience, purchase an exclusive Pit Pass to get up close and personal with the trucks and their celebrity drivers.

MONSTER JAM

Saturday 17 October Tickets: 13 28 49; ticketek.com.au Pit Passes: Purchase the ticket + pit pass option when selecting your tickets via the Ticketek website.

ANZ Stadium Members: anzstadium.com.au/members or call 1300 136 006 (Option 1)

Official Hospitality Centreline Seats 1300 13 40 10 anzstadium.com.au/official-hospitality

Picture: Eliot Cohen

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STADIUM ENTERTAINMENT Hell’s Bells . . . a packed ANZ Stadium in 2010 to see AC/DC live

LET THERE BE

ROCK IT’S TIME TO DUST OFF YOUR DEVIL HORNS AND GET OUT YOUR BLACK JEANS, AC/DC ARE COMING HOME. CRYSTELLE CORDERO REPORTS

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AFTER 55,000 fans blasted in the New Year with the Foo Fighters at ANZ Stadium, rock fans can once again raise their hands in salute.

Beloved Oz-rockers AC/DC have announced they’re returning Down Under.

Acca Dacca thrilled fans and smashed box office records when they

last played ANZ Stadium in 2010, with their three concerts selling out in minutes. And the Rock or Bust World Tour promises to be no different – thundering through the stands on Wednesday 4 November and Saturday 7 November.

AC/DC’s Rock or Bust album was released on 2 December last year and immediately topped sales charts around the globe, with the album’s first two singles Play Ball and Rock or Bust added to major radio around the world. Rock or Bust is the band’s fifth No.1 album in Australia and the band’s 17th studio album overall.

With their unique brand of high voltage rock ‘n’ roll, AC/DC’s uncomplicated approach has produced countless hits including Back in Black, Thunderstruck, Highway to Hell, Hells Bells, It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Want to Rock ‘n’ Roll), You Shook Me All Night Long and many, many more.

AC/DC - Wednesday 4 November & Saturday 7 November, 2015, ANZ Stadium Taylor Swift - Saturday 28 November, 2015, ANZ Stadium

The Rock or Bust World Tour is the third major concert coup for ANZ Stadium in 2015, joining fellow rockers Foo Fighters who performed in February as part of their Sonic Highways World Tour, and pop sensation Taylor Swift’s 1989 World Tour coming on 28 November.

With over 30 million albums sold and seven Grammy Awards to her name, Taylor Swift’s one-and-only Sydney concert is guaranteed to be a Stadium pop blockbuster.

Swifty is the only artist in history to have three albums debut with more than a million copies sold in their first week, with her latest album 1989 joining fellow multi-platinum selling albums Speak Now and Red. Her 1989 album became Australia’s fastest-selling album of 2014 in less than four days.

Lead single Shake It Off and its successor Blank Space have also

earned T-Swizzle the dual achievements of being the only artist to have two Number One singles in the HOT 100 US charts in 2014.

So whether you’re a hell-raiser or pop fanatic, ANZ Stadium is the place to be this November.

Head to anzstadium.com.au for more information on concert dates, ticket prices and event information.

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STADIUM OLYMPICS

Picutre: 15 September 2000

15 Year Celebrations . . . Join us for a party to mark 15 years since the Opening Ceremony of the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Details soon.

CELEBRATE 15 YEARS SINCE THE ‘BEST EVER’ GAMES Arthur Stanley

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HERE were you on the evening of 15 September 2000? When our golden girl Cathy Freeman lit the flame for a Sydney Olympics that were destined to become “the best ever” Games.

Were you at the Sydney Olympic Stadium that night? Or one of the 3.7 billion TV viewers around the world who tuned in to the momentous events unfolding in Sydney?

It’s 15 years since we welcomed the world here at ANZ Stadium – 15 years since the exceptional Sydney Games became a turning point for our great city.

The 2000 Sydney Games were a true celebration of Olympic values and sporting excellence, but they were also a point in history – a fortnight that bonded Sydneysiders like never before and showed the world what an amazing city we live in.

One of the extraordinary characteristics of the Sydney Olympics was the number of volunteers – all 46,967 of them, which had grown from an original number of 500 as Sydneysiders embraced the Games.

The Sydney Olympics featured 199 competing countries and 10,651 athletes who marched in the parade of nations at the Olympic Stadium.

The Opening Ceremony was a stunning tribute to Australian culture, history and identity – highlighted by golden girl Freeman lighting the

Olympic torch, igniting the flame in the cauldron within a circle of fire.

The emotional moment helped symbolise the desire to reconcile with the Aboriginal populations of Australia.

Ten days later, in front of 112,524 fans, then the largest attendance for any sport in Olympics history, Cathy raced to gold in the women’s 400m.

Today, ANZ Stadium stands as a magnificent legacy of the Sydney Games, with 22 million fans having passed through the Stadium turnstiles to watch some of Australia’s most iconic sporting moments and biggest entertainment events.

And Cathy Freeman Park – located just outside the eastern gates of the Stadium – is a tribute to our golden girl’s 2000 heroics.

The original Olympic cauldron, with its distinct water fountain, can be found at the northern end of Cathy Freeman Park, while the athletics track Cathy raced on is still in use at the Sydney Olympic Park Athletics Centre, which is still connected by tunnel to ANZ Stadium.

This was the original athletics tunnel used during the Olympics.

Many of the original Olympics venues are today used successfully to host sports, cultural and entertainment events, with Sydney Olympic Park arguably the most successful post-Olympics precinct in history.

Save the date for a celebration of our Olympic legacy: 15 September 2015. Fifteen years on.

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PURCHASE 4 HEINEKEN SCHOONERS

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WINWITHHEINEKENRUGBY.COM.AU Conditions Apply. See website for full Terms and Conditions

TM © Rugby World Cup Limited 1986 - 2015. All rights reserved.

ENTRY OPEN TO AUS RESIDENTS 18+. FULL T&Cs AT www.winwithheinekenrugby.com.au. Promo Period: 25/04/15 to 31/08/15 (but may close earlier for a particular Participating Venue if stocks of Game Cards run out). To enter, purchase a round of four Heinekens to share, at Participating Venue to receive Game Card & submit entry online at www.winwithheinekenrugby.com.au during Promo Period. 1 entry pp per day. Each Prize comprises (for winner travel guest 18+): 2 x return economy class airfares to London departing AU on 28/10/15 & departing London 03/11/05, 5 nights 4 star twin-share accommodation at a Heineken partner hotel in London between 29/10/15 & 02/11/15 (inclusive), 2 x tickets to Rugby World Cup Final on 31/10/15 & a Rugby World Cup Final 2015 experience package which includes ground transfers between airport & accomm & pre- and post-match entry to (& ground transfers to and from) Heineken Rugby World Cup Final event.

Max 10,000 Game Cards will be circulated. Prize RRP $15,000. Prize draw: 15.00 AEST on 01/09/15 at PMG Media (136 Cathedral Street Woolloomooloo NSW 2011). If a winner cannot be identified or contacted or a Prize is unclaimed, second chance draw on 19/09/15, same time/place/method as first draw. Prize winners will be notified by phone & email within two days of the relevant draw.

Prize winners’ names & residential addresses will be published in The Australian on 04/09/15 (first draw winners) or 25/09/15 (second chance winners). OTHER CONDITIONS APPLY, details in FULL T&Cs. Promoter is Heineken Lion Australia Pty Ltd (ABN 74 109 055 236) of Lvl 7, 68 York St, Syd NSW 2000, phone (02) 9320 2200. Authorised under NSW Permit No. LTPS/15/02584

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