MIDLANDS HURRICANES have changed their home venue with immediate effect, leaving the Alexander Stadium for a ground in the west of Birmingham.
The Championship outfit have signed a 20-year lease at Avery Fields, which is also home to rugby union club Bournville.
It ends a three-year spell at the 18,000-capacity Alexander Stadium, in the north of England’s second-largest city, a major athletics venue which hosted the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Following a rebrand from Coventry Bears – under which they played at Butts Park Arena in that city for 17 years – in late 2021, Midlands also briefly played at Solihull’s Portway Stadium.
The Hurricanes have held community sessions at Avery Fields, which previously hosted rugby league games as a former home of community side Birmingham Bulldogs.
Located in the Bearwood area, three miles from the city centre, Avery Fields currently has only a clubhouse and perimeter standing.
But a temporary, 340-seater stand is set to be installed in time for Midlands’ first match there, against Newcastle Thunder in next Sunday’s (January 18) Championship opener, with future plans for a permanent covered stand which would seat 350.
The club say the switch will lower operating costs, while they will have greater control over use of the venue and future improvements than at the Alexander Stadium.
They also claim Avery Fields will provide a better matchday experience, with managing director Eorl Crabtree insisting it is a progressive change.
“This move is an important and positive milestone for the club,” said Crabtree.
“Securing a 20-year lease at Avery Fields gives us a real rugby home that we can shape, develop and grow in for the future.
“It makes us more sustainable, it improves the matchday experience for our supporters and it puts us right in the heart of a thriving rugby community.
“Most importantly, it helps us grow rugby league in the Midlands and truly connect with the people and communities we represent.
“This is not a backwards step. It is a smart and ambitious move that helps us build a competitive, resilient and proudly Midlands rugby league club.”
Chairman Mike Lomas added: “The move to Avery Fields is a development which cements rugby league in Birmingham for another 20 years.
“This partnership brings together a rugby league club and a rugby union club in the heart of the country who share the same belief in getting more young people playing rugby.”
Phil Maynard, the managing director of Avery Fields, believes the link-up can help grow awareness of Midlands, whose average attendance last season was 433.
He said: “In the longer term we will work closely with the Hurricanes to help them develop their brand, increase their profile in Birmingham and hopefully achieve their ambition of becoming a Super League club.”