The Roos will go head-to-head for the first time in their pre-season training and Harvey says the event will be the first time Ballarat locals will have a real chance to send a message to the AFL about hosting AFL games in the future.
“If the people of Ballarat come out in force on Wednesday night to watch us play, the AFL will sit up and take notice. Ballarat must take this opportunity,” Harvey told kangaroos.com.au.
“The more interest they show in the game, the better their chances of having a game played in their city for premiership points would be.”
North Melbourne CEO Eugene Arocca put the proposal for games to be played in the region on the agenda last year after signing a ground breaking memorandum of understanding with the City of Ballarat.
The agreement saw North Melbourne cement its commitment to the region through short-term objectives which include the development of a meaningful community relationship and helping Ballarat secure a regional game and possible NAB Cup match.
Although in its early stages, the partnership between North and Ballarat has already yielded a significant result with the AFL announcing that a NAB Challenge match will be held in North Ballarat on either the fifth or sixth of March.
“North Melbourne is a proud partner of the City of Ballarat and we will continue to work hard to ensure that initiatives like this are not one offs,” Arocca said.
“This is a real breakthrough for the City of Ballarat and just rewards for the hard work by the Mayor and CEO of Ballarat. It is also a credit to the North Ballarat Football Club for investing in Eureka Stadium to allow it to accommodate AFL standard matches.
“We wish to also congratulate the AFL for bringing AFL football back to Ballarat and we hope that the locals come out in force to support the match as well as our intra-club match on the third of February.”
If the partnership is successful and there is enough local support, it could pave the way for three or four AFL home-and-away games in Ballarat, if funding for a new stadium can be found.
"Never say never," Arocca commented last year when asked about Ballarat hosting an AFL match.
"If North Melbourne can get a strong supporter base there over the next two to five years, we could be arguing for that.”
The Kangaroos will remain in Ballarat following their intra-club match next week for a further two days during their Community Camp. It’s the second consecutive year the club has visited the region to hold footy clinics, coaching forums and conduct school and hospital visits.
2010 memberships and merchandise will be available for purchase at the intra-club match and super clinic.
North Melbourne Community Camp Schedule
Wednesday, 3rd February
1pm - Town Hall Civic Reception
7pm - Intra-club Match (Eureka Stadium, North Ballarat FC)
Thursday, 4th February
10am - Primary School Football Clinics
4pm - Super clinic (Eureka Stadium, North Ballarat FC)
7.30pm - Coaching Forum with Brad Scott, Darren Crocker, Brett Allison, Shane Watson (Eureka Stadium, North Ballarat FC)
9pm - Youth Forum with Recruiting Manager Bryce Lewis, List Manager Cameron Joyce, club captain Brent Harvey, best and fairest winner Andrew Swallow and rising star nominee Jack Ziebell (Eureka Stadium, North Ballarat FC)
Friday, 5th February
10am - Activity Day (TBA)
