Avery Fields is to become the new home for professional rugby league club Midlands Hurricanes for their forthcoming Betfred Championship campaign.
The Hurricanes previously played their home matches at the Alexander Stadium athletics track but believe that the move to Avery Fields on a 20-year lease will provide a better opportunity for them to establish rugby league in the city and a more enjoyable matchday experience for their supporters.
“We are absolutely delighted to welcome Midlands Hurricanes to Avery Fields at the start of what we hope will be a long and successful association,” said Phil Maynard, Managing Director of Avery Fields and home of Bournville RFC.
“We hosted the Hurricanes’ Community Day last year and we have since had productive discussions with Mike Lomas and Eorl Crabtree about making Avery Fields their new home in the city.
“The Rugby Football League have also been very supportive of this initiative and we thank them for their help. It’s an exciting project that can only be mutually beneficial for both clubs and which will provide year-round rugby at Avery Fields.
“We look forward to welcoming the Hurricanes, their players, staff and supporters to their new home for their opening Betfred Championship match against Newcastle Thunder on January 18 with home matches against some famous rugby league clubs including Oldham, Workington, Batley, Swinton and Rochdale Hornets to follow.
“In the longer term we will work closely with the Hurricanes to help them develop their brand, increase their profile in Birmingham and hopefully to achieve their ambition of becoming a Super League club.”
The Hurricanes’ first match at Avery Fields will be their season opener against Newcastle Thunder on Sunday January 18 with an initial temporary 340-seater stand being installed next week to satisfy Rugby Football League requirements. Plans are already in motion to install a permanent 350-seater covered stand with scope to expand this in due course.
“This move is an important and positive milestone for the club. Securing a 20-year lease at Avery Fields gives us a real rugby home that we can shape, develop and grow in for the future. It makes us more sustainable, it improves the matchday experience for our supporters and it puts us right in the heart of a thriving rugby community,” said Hurricanes’ Managing Director Crabtree.
“Most importantly, it helps us grow rugby league in the Midlands and truly connect with the people and communities we represent. This is not a backwards step. It is a smart and ambitious move that helps us build a competitive, resilient and proudly Midlands rugby league club.”
The cross-code partnership between the two rugby clubs was also welcomed by Hurricanes Chairman Lomas.
“The move to Avery Fields is a development which cements Rugby League in Birmingham for another 20 years. This partnership brings together a Rugby League club and a Rugby Union club in the heart of the country who share the same belief in getting more young people playing ‘Rugby’. This is a truly exciting development,” he said.
“I want to thank Alistair Blacklaws, Phil Maynard and Rob Sigley at Bournville for their support and enthusiasm in making this landmark move happen. I’d also like to thank Birmingham City Council and the Alexander Stadium team for their support over the last three years.”
Further information about Midlands Hurricanes can be found here
