The AFL and WAFC have given Northam a tick of approval to stage the NAB Cup round 3 game between Fremantle and the Western Bulldogs on Saturday 9 March.

AFL national facility manager Ken Gannon and WAFC director of facilities Geoff Glass inspected the Shire of Northam Recreation Centre last week and were pleased with what they saw.

“The change rooms, function space and warm up areas are first class and give a solid base to the facilities required to host a major regional AFL game,” Glass said.

“The ground condition remains the next priority and the WAFC has offered full support to have the playing surface in perfect condition for the game, including the services and supervision of our Patersons Stadium turf manager.

“While there is still much work and organising to be done for the game, the WAFC is confident with the commitment given by the shire that all will be ready for one of the biggest days of football ever held at Northam.”

Northam Shire president Steven Pollard said the shire would have the full support of the council in preparing the football ground for the game.

“Over the coming months, the shire’s recreation facility staff and local groups will be working closely with the WAFC’s turf management advisors to ensure the ground will be presented to the highest standard,” Pollard said.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for the community to attend an AFL game in their home environment and for local clubs to become involved.

“It will be a highlight of the region’s 2013 events calendar, and we are confident that the community will become actively engaged, both during the planning and on the day.”

The AFL is keen to continue playing matches at regional venues to promote the game into areas that don't normally host AFL football.

NAB Cup matches in 2013 will also be taken to Townsville (Queensland), Wagga (NSW), Renmark (SA), Manuka Oval (ACT), Aurora Stadium (Tasmania), Alice Springs (NT), and Wangaratta and Casey Fields (Victoria).

National Australia Bank’s chief marketing officer, Kevin Ramsdale, said NAB was pleased the NAB Cup would again extend to reach many Australian communities.

“The great thing about the NAB Cup is that it allows us to take the AFL to thousands of people around the country who don’t often get a chance to experience footy at this level," Ramsdale said.