With the exception of the much larger Geelong with its fanatical devotion to its home team, AFL football has not been played at this level in regional Victoria for more than six decades.

Apart from the spectacle and the economic benefits the crowds bring, this is also something of a coming of age of a major regional city.  A city that can proudly say it has the capacity and the will to host elite level sport but is also confident enough to say it deserves it.

And if, as the seasons roll on and the fixture brings two and even three regular AFL games to the point where they could seem non-exceptional, it is worth remembering this epic day as a groundbreaking start.  Almost exactly six years ago The Courier ran a strident editorial followed by a campaign calling on all those who envisaged the growing prominence of Ballarat as a capital for western Victoria to demand this level of investment and recognition. 

“But this is a campaign about a lot more than football. A regional sports precinct at Eureka Stadium will become a sporting hub for the whole of Western Victoria .... It is good for footy, for tourism, for business and for jobs.  This is the major project Ballarat needs and one a city of its size and pride deserves.”

Since those days the State Government true to its promise has stumped up the cash, Ballarat council has put in an enormous amount of groundwork and numerous passionate individuals who worked tirelessly to make it a reality.

The Courier also noted that only 20 years ago Ballarat was striving to grab Crows supporters motoring down the highway, the crumbs from an AFL table that centred on Melbourne. Now some of those same South Australians will be visiting Ballarat for the first time, hopefully making it the first of many visits.  Last year’s astonishing performance of Ballarat’s new partner club the Western Bulldogs has also been serendipitous, a success that has also converted into a great community partnership and real sense of local loyalty.  But this goes well beyond specific teams, it is great to see the fervour in local businesses as they too tap into the excitement and see the opportunities.

Back in 2011 The Courier wanted Ballarat to “Think Big” and the city responded.  This day is a credit to all those who pushed so hard for it over the years and as a “big” city that dares to dream it is only the beginning.