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Jess Mauboy to headline pre-match performance at NRL Grand Final by NRL 6 October 2013
T
he NRL’s Ricky Martin and Jessica Mauboy have promised a party-like atmosphere to celebrate the season finale for the 80,000 plus fans attending today’s 2013 NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final between the Roosters and Sea Eagles at ANZ Stadium. Performing live in Australia for the first time in 10 years, Martin will join with Mauboy on stage for a special pre-match performance to rival any in the event’s history, enhancing the spectacle of one of the biggest and most prestigious events on the Australian sports calendar. Other highlights of the day will include a video tribute and lap of honour by 20 of the 23 retiring NRL stars, including Matty Bowen and Scott Prince, and their families; the delivery of the newly-named Provans Summons Trophy by Norm Provan and Arthur Summons; Mauboy signing the national anthem; and 10 children from the Starlight Children’s Foundation as the Telstra ring bearers. The first-class entertainment and anticipated enthralling game of football between two clubs with very proud and successful histories, boasting 20 NRL premierships between them, will be watched by more than 3 million viewers in Australia alone. The match will also be broadcast to a further 90 countries including Africa, Brazil, US, UK and the Pacific nations. NRL Chief Executive, Dave
Smith said: “It is going to be an amazing day for the fans … three outstanding games of football, Jess Mauboy, Ricky Martin and a show that will take your breath away. “The footy is at the heart of it all but we also want make sure fans have a game day experience they will never forget.” Both Martin and Mauboy said they felt honoured and privileged to be performing at the Telstra Premiership Grand Final, particularly in front of a passionate Rugby League audience of more than 80,000. Jessica Mauboy said: “I am thrilled to be a part of the NRL Grand Final entertainment with the wonderful Ricky Martin! It has been such an honour being a part of the NRL family this year and I can’t wait to watch the game with my friends and family on Sunday.” Sunday’s entertainment bonanza will also feature exciting precinct activity at ANZ Stadium; while for those not able to make it to Sydney Olympic Park, a Grand Final Fan
Site/ Live Site will operate at Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour, from 3.30-9.30pm. A big screen will broadcast all of the action live from ANZ Stadium with the screening of the 2013 Telstra Premiership Grand Final. The live broadcast will start at 3.55pm with the Holden Cup Grand Final. Grand Final Day is the culmination of a week-long celebration which began with Premier, the Hon. Barry O’Farrell, flicking the switch on the 80m Rugby League images being projected onto the Harbour Bridge pylons. It included the One Community Awards at Sydney’s Town Hall; Dally Ms Awards at The Star; Grand Final Lunch at The Star; free Fan Day at Tumbalong Park; Fun Day for 800 children at Cathy Freeman Park, Sydney Olympic Park; and today’s free live performance by Mauboy and guests at Tumbalong Park.
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