Steamers fans' joy as match venue switched

BOP Steamers supporter Terry Leeming, known as Hori BOP, strongly believes matches should be played at the Tauranga Domain. Photo/file

A former rugby union chief and a fanatic Steamers supporter have backed playing a key ITM Cup match between Bay of Plenty and Waikato at Tauranga Domain instead of ASB Baypark.

As revealed exclusively in yesterday's Bay of Plenty Times, the match on August 30 between the Steamers and Waikato will be held at the Bay's former ground for the first time in seven years.

Feedback from supporters said ASB Baypark did not provide the intimacy and "edge-of-your-seat" experience they wanted.

There are also plans for a family friendly waterfront festival before the match.

Former Bay of Plenty Rugby Union president Bruce Dodge told the Bay of Plenty Times the move was excellent.

He did not think the games should have been moved in the first place.

Mr Dodge said watching rugby at the Domain put fans much closer to the field and players, making for a more exciting game.

"You feel as though you are actually playing the game yourself, you're so close to the players. It's a much better atmosphere than at Baypark," he said. "It can also be quite intimidating for the opposition. Any of those games we had at the Domain years ago, the opposition always commented on the fact that there was such support from Tauranga community.

"At Baypark you are too far away and, if you are sitting in the first or second rows of that stadium, people are continually walking past you, which is terrible."

Well-known Steamers support Terry Leeming, known as Hori BOP, said the move was brilliant. "It should have been back there years ago. It's a great day for the Bay. It's fantastic."

Mr Leeming said he had been petitioning the council to allocate the No2 or No3 fields at the Domain for a stadium for 13 years. He said Baypark was not designed for rugby, though he admitted the stadium was packed out in the early days when the Steamers competed for the Ranfurly Shield.

"It's just not a rugby stadium by any stretch of the imagination. It's a brilliant speedway stadium and brilliant for jetsprints," he said.

The Domain was the best option for a rugby stadium because "you've got all the bars and restaurants downtown".

"I applaud the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union. I applaud the CEO. I applaud the city council for giving it the go-ahead and making a go of it. Let's not make this a one-off. Let's make this the genesis.

"Let's hope this is the seed that starts a field of dreams."

Andrew Rout, Greerton Marist Rugby's juniors co-ordinator, said he remembered going to the game at Tauranga Domain when the Steamers moved up into the first division.

"That was a pretty cool day, with people on the grass and right up amongst it."

Mr Rout said he knew people who did not feel close to the game at Baypark.

"Because the track takes up 10 metres - but the Domain, although it doesn't have the parking that Baypark has got, as a ground is pretty good," he said.

"It will create a pretty awesome atmosphere on the day."