- Benji to help drive Stadium’s charity & community programs
- Joins sporting greats like Greg Inglis & Israel Folau at the Stadium
- Benji’s Grand Final Flick Pass part of NRL folklore
- Will speak at 5th Annual Stadium Australia Members’ Dinner 13 May
WHO will ever forget that magical Benji Marshall flick pass to set up a crucial try for winger Pat Richards in the 2005 NRL Grand Final at Stadium Australia?
The mercurial Marshall is one of the true modern-day rugby league greats, and he’s played many of the biggest games of his illustrious career at Sydney’s Olympic stadium. The “Benji Flick Pass in 05” remains one of the Stadium’s many iconic sporting moments.
So it seems a natural fit for Marshall, 29, to be joining Stadium Australia’s elite team of sporting ambassadors.
“I’ve played a lot of football at Stadium Australia and watched so many fantastic sporting events here – Grand Finals, Origins, Bledisloe Cups, that amazing Asian Cup win by the Socceroos . . . it goes right back to the Sydney Olympics in 2000,” Marshall said at the Stadium Tuesday.
“The 2005 Grand Final win with the Tigers was obviously a personal career highlight. There’s nothing quite like playing at Stadium Australia in front of a full house.
“It was great to be back at the Stadium with the mighty Dragons last Saturday night and to start 2015 with a strong hitout against the reigning premiers the Rabbitohs in the Charity Shield. For a trial, that was pretty intense.
“I’m really enjoying it at the Dragons and looking forward to a great season ahead.”
Marshall joins Rabbitohs rugby league giant Greg Inglis, Bulldogs and Origin star Josh Reynolds, rising Wests Tigers star Luke Brooks, rugby’s hottest talent Israel Folau and Sydney Swans co-captain Kieren Jack as Stadium Australia sporting ambassadors.
“It’s an honour to be part of the Stadium Australia team. The Olympic stadium is such an important part of Sydney. I’ve seen the plans for the Stadium Australia redevelopment, with the aim of getting fans closer to the action and to create a lively Stadium precinct. There’s huge potential there to take the Stadium into an exciting new era,” Marshall said.
The St George Illawarra Dragons play two home games at Stadium Australia in 2015 – a Sunday afternoon blockbuster against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs on 11 April and a Round 26 classic against Marshall’s old club, Wests Tigers. The Dragons will also play two “away” games at Stadium Australia this season, against the Rabbitohs and the Bulldogs.
The Dragons are one of five NRL clubs – including the Bulldogs, Rabbitohs, Tigers and Eels – who play at least some of their home games at Stadium Australia
Stadium Australia Managing Director, Daryl Kerry, said he was delighted to welcome Marshall to the Stadium’s ambassador program.
“Our sporting ambassadors play an important role for us by representing the Stadium in the community and particularly in relation to the extensive charity work we do,” he said.
“Among our charities are The Children’s Hospital at Westmead and disability service provider Northcott, and I know Benji is looking forward to being involved in that side of our business. Our ambassadors also engage regularly with our Stadium Australia Members and our Corporate guests.
“Benji is one of the true greats of the game and he looks set for a fantastic season with the Dragons. We are pleased to have Benji on board, joining an extraordinary group of athletes.”
Benji Marshall will speak exclusively to Stadium Australia Members at the 5th Annual Stadium Australia Members’ Dinner – An Evening With Champions and Superstars – on Wednesday 13 May.
