Council welcomes Qantas Wallabies to No.2

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes has welcomed the Qantas Wallabies to Newcastle for a weeklong training camp at National Park's No.2 Sportsground from Sunday 23 July 2017.
 
The side will prepare for its August 6 Bledisloe Cup clash with the All Blacks at a weeklong camp in Newcastle followed by another in Cessnock.

^{Israel Folau flying high by Stu Walmsley}

"Newcastle City Council is proud to host the Qantas Wallabies' training camp at No.2 Sportsground, the home of rugby union in Newcastle," Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.
 
"On behalf of everyone in Newcastle, I extend a hearty welcome to the team and staff and wish them well for their upcoming test matches.
 
"The Wallabies training camp will be a great opportunity for local rugby fans to turn out and meet their heroes and fire them up to take on the might of the All Blacks.
 
"The playing surface at No.2 is in top condition despite being deep into the Newcastle and Hunter rugby season; this is a testament to the quality of the upgrade we completed a few years ago."
 
Qantas Wallabies coach Michael Cheika said country and regional rugby was the heartland of Australian rugby and the perfect place to steel themselves for upcoming Tests.
 
"The Wallaby support is very strong in these areas, so Newcastle will be a great chance for us to feel that support before we take on New Zealand," he said.
 
"I've already been up there a number of times - great facilities, great people and a great chance for us to share the gold jersey with the people of the region while we get ready for the mother of all matches in Sydney. It's going to be great.
 
"I'm looking forward to the week and spending time with fans who follow the Wallabies, as well as making some new friends and fans in our time there."
 
The Wallabies will run a skills session for kiddies at a date and time to be conveyed via the team's social media channels and shared by council.
 
The Wallabies announcement follows council's recent partnership with Venues NSW to bring the Westfield Matildas national soccer team to Newcastle in a September match against Brazil.
 
"The Wallabies camp confirms the appeal of Newcastle's sporting facilities," Councillor Nelmes added, "and our capacity to host high-profile sporting teams and events, such as the Australian men's and women's rugby league teams and the 2015 Asian Football Cup."
 
The 2011 upgrade of No.2 saw the existing oval-shaped field reconfigured into rectangular sporting complex and construction of a new grandstand, concourse seating, amenities building and 265-space car park.