G1RA has just finished talks with the Bundesliga team Hertha BSC, the Berlin City council and Mayor regarding the combined use of the Olympia Stadium.
Berlin has been promoted to the premier League and will be playing top flight rugby in the coming season.
Berlin is one of Europe’s capital cities and the need to have more seats is definitely there.
J. Bekker, G1RAs CEO said: “Its not just that Berlin now has a full professional rugby team playing at the highest possible level. Germany will also be playing in the European 1st division and in case we are successful, we could even be promoted to the 6 Nations tournament. We do need better premises and more space than we had in the past. We also have our Development squad here in Berlin with players from France, South Africa and Germany.”
G1RA will now be sharing the Stadium with Hertha and the top players in German soccer and Rugby will now be able to pick each others brains. The G1RA Admin would also move into the stadium while all the facilities are now to their disposal.
They are now also better situated making it easier for fans and teams to travel and visit the grounds. “We have not finalized the decision yet” said the CEO, “we still need the approval from the WFR Board and only then shall we pack our boxes and will be able to start the new season in the Olympia stadium. Surely that will also give rugby a broader media coverage and we are also in talks with the a German TV station, who might be willing to buy the rights and broadcast all Berlins, G1RA development squad and the German national teams home games. If that happens, then the path will be well prepared, to see German rugby take another step forward.”