Eric Weissel Oval was a multi-use stadium in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia. It was named after local rugby league footballer Eric Weissel and opened in 1959. It was used mostly for rugby league matches and had a capacity of 10,000 people, with a record crowd of 11,685 recorded on 20 July 1988 for the Australia vs Papua New Guinea as part of the 1985–1988 Rugby League World Cup where the Aussies defeated the Kumuls by a then world record score of 70–8. The oval has hosted City vs Country (ARL), National Rugby League premiership and trial games, Brumbies vs Waikato Chiefs (Rugby union).
Name The oval was named after Eric Weissel, a state and national representative rugby league five-eighth who played in the 1920s and 1930s. In spite of representative honours and the allure of the Sydney first grade competition Weissel played his entire club football career in the Riverina with five different clubs including Wagga Wagga.
Closure and redevelopment In June 2004 the owners of the oval, Wagga Wagga Leagues Club went into receivership, however the oval remained open up until 2007. In 2005 Wagga Wagga Leagues Club, Eric Weissel Oval and Allen Staunton Oval were sold to developers. The oval was rezoned from private recreation to residential by the Wagga Wagga City Council on 26 September 2005. In December 2008 the owners of the site, McIntyre Nash Pty Ltd, lodged an application to demolish which includes the removal of fencing, grandstand, change rooms and a broadcast box. The Oval was demolished in 2015 by McIntyre Nash along with the neighbouring leagues club, and the housing development is due to start in 2016.
Notable Rugby League Matches World Cup DateHomeScoreAwayRefereeCrowdCompetition20 July 198870–8Neville Kesha11,6851985-1988 Rugby League World Cup
International Tour Matches DateHomeScoreAwayRefereeCrowdCompetition26 May 1954 Riverina26–36 Great Britain LionsEric McIlhatton10,7321954 Great Britain Lions tour10 July 1974 Riverina10–36 Great Britain LionsGraham Barby8,0001974 Great Britain Lions tour4 June 1978 Riverina18–25 New Zealand KiwisKevin Riolo3,0001978 New Zealand Rugby League tour26 June 1979 Riverina10–37 Great Britain LionsNoel Bissett8,4031979 Great Britain Lions tour11 July 1982 Riverina3–29 New Zealand KiwisRay Collins4,5001982 New Zealand Rugby League tour26 June 1984 Riverina18–22 Great Britain LionsBill Foran3,0001984 Great Britain Lions tour15 July 1986 Riverina16–14 New Zealand KiwisBarry Priest5,0001986 New Zealand Rugby League tour
City vs Country DateHomeScoreAwayRefereeCrowdCompetition10 May 2002 NSW Country16–26 NSW CityTim Mander8,3422002 City vs Country Origin
NSWRL Pre-Season/Midweek Cup DateHomeScoreAwayRefereeCrowdCompetition 23 April 1975 Parramatta Eels27–19 Monaro ColtsTom Spain 3,600 1975 Amco Cup Round 1 Canterbury-Bankstown Berries21–16 Riverina BullsLaurie Bruyeres 3 May 1978 Riverina Bulls36–2 Penrith PanthersTom Spain4,4001978 Amco Cup Round 327 March 1985 Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs16–6 Canberra RaidersSteve Asbury8,5001985 National Panasonic Cup Round 128 February 1988 Eastern Suburbs Roosters36–16 Western Suburbs MagpiesMick Stone6,8321988 Panasonic Cup Round 126 April 1989 Manly Warringah Sea Eagles22–10 St George DragonsGreg McCallum9,8311989 Panasonic Cup Round 16 March 1991 Penrith Panthers34–6 Canterbury Bankstown BulldogsGreg McCallum9,0001991 Lotto Challenge Cup Semi-Final 1 1 March 1992 Brisbane Broncos14–10 Gold Coast SeagullsIan Parnaby 9,320 1992 Tooheys Challenge CupQuarter Finals 1 and 2 Western Suburbs Magpies16–14 Penrith PanthersGreg McCallum
NRL DateHomeScoreAwayRefereeCrowdCompetition16 August 1998 Sydney City Roosters34–10 Gold Coast ChargersPaul Simpkins4,1151998 NRL season, Round 23
Gallery
See also
List of sports venues named after individuals
References
External links