The Australian Football League and the Kangaroos signed a new contract with the ACT Government that will ensure matches are played at Manuka Oval until 2006.
The agreement for 2004 to 2006 is an extension of the current arrangement and will see the Kangaroos play one pre-season and three AFL Premiership games in Canberra in each year of the deal. At present the mix is two pre-season and two home and away games.
Stated Andrew Demetriou, general manager of the AFL's football operations: "The AFL is really pleased to be able to continue to build the code in Canberra in partnership with the ACT Government and the Kangaroos.
"The greatest strength of our partnership is the professional approach all parties have taken to planning for the longer-term. The ACT Government is matching the AFL's investment in the game in the Territory, with the 2001 upgrade and continued maintenance of Manuka Oval being a prime example.
"Over the past 5 years, all parties have worked together to build our game, from the grass roots through to the elite level. Just one of our outstanding results has been the growth in AFL Auskick from 689 participants in 1999 to an expected 1600 children under 12 years registered in our program by the end of this year."
Aussie Rules team the North Melbourne Kangaroos will continue to play at the Manuka Oval after signing a new three-year agreement with the local government.
