IT’S not just sports fans that are excited for the 45th annual NSW Aboriginal Rugby League Knockout, with Dubbo’s business sector also set to benefit to the tune of over $6.6 million this weekend.
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Up to 15,000 people are expected in town for the four-day carnival, but Dubbo City mayor Mathew Dickerson said that’s a conservative estimate.
“The hotels are booked out which is fantastic, then people need to eat, they’ll probably go to the pub for a few drinks, they need to buy petrol for their cars,” Cr Dickerson said.
“Over three nights, spending $148 a day, 15,000 people would inject over $6.6 million into the local economy.”
There is likely to be a flow on effect to the rest of the economy if restaurants have to order in more produce or put on additional staff, he said.
The knockout has seen an astronomical rise from seven teams at its debut in the 1970s, to a record-breaking 133 squads in this year’s instalment.
Spokesperson for the host club, Walgett Aboriginal Connection, Geoff Simpson said it’s not all about the football.
“It’s an amazing connector,” Mr Simpson said.
“It’s not even about the footy for me, it’s more about the social, the culture and the connections. The footy is just the binder.”
The event is set to capture a national audience, with games being broadcast nationally across NITV and other media outlets across the long weekend.