Eels plan to grow their way into western Sydney's new stadium - The Australian

PARRAMATTA has taken the initiative in the race to secure funding for a new stadium in western Sydney by holding preliminary discussions with the state government over its plans for the future.

The Eels have ambitions to grow their fan base to 40,000 members over the next five years, at which point those supporters will have outgrown the club's spiritual home at Parramatta Stadium.

That's where the state government comes in. Under the government's stadium strategy, NSW Sports Minister Graham Annesley outlined a plan to invest money in major venues rather than local grounds.

The strategy also identified the likely need for a second stadium in western Sydney. The Eels want it to be built in Parramatta, although they are likely to face competition from Penrith and Campbelltown.

Annesley said the state government was in no rush to make a decision but preliminary work on a potential venue is expected to begin in the next few months.

"The stadium strategy that we released said that at some stage or other there will have to be some work done on whether there needs to be a bigger stadium in western Sydney," Annesley said.

"No work has been done with that at all. Of course, (Parramatta CEO) Ken (Edwards) said they hoped to grow their membership and, if they were successful in doing that, the stadium wouldn't be able to hold them.

"We'll start doing the investigative work over the next few months. But there is no decision pending. There is no time-frame."

As well as a potential new home ground, Edwards is also on the lookout for a major sponsor after Pirtek elected to sever ties with the club at the end of this season.

Edwards is confident the club will find a new backer despite the uncertain climate created by the Australian Crime Commission's investigation into drug use, match-fixing and organised crime in the sport.

That investigation has already cost the Sydney Roosters and Cronulla potential sponsors.

"We weren't implicated in the report," Edwards said. "We will be announcing another couple of sponsorships in the next couple of weeks. I can only speak on behalf of Parramatta. I am not sensing that there is an issue for us.

"The boardrooms I deal in or have been in over the past few weeks would indicate people have confidence the NRL will deal with this appropriately and as quickly as possible.

"I don't think we're immune, and people are certainly interested in it and want to talk about it and want to know what action is being taken. It's my view that while there might be an issue, based on what we know it's not a huge issue in terms of numbers. I think the NRL have done a good job making it clear they are going to co-operate fully with the authorities."

Edwards also downplayed suggestions the club's lack of success would hurt it in the hunt for a new sponsor. The Eels finished last year with the wooden spoon and were thrashed by Wests Tigers in last weekend's trial.

"You can't build sustainable clubs expecting to win every year," he said. "We can build a sustainable club without having to win all the time on the field."