HFC Bank Stadium explained

Fullname:HFC Bank Stadium
City:Suva
Country:Fiji
Location: Suva, Fiji
Renovated:1978–1979
2012–2013
Owner:Government of Suva City
Operator:Government of Suva City
Former Names:ANZ Stadium
Tenants:Suva Highlanders
Fijian Drua
Suva FC
Fiji national football team
Seating Capacity:4,300

The HFC Bank Stadium (formerly known as ANZ Stadium)[1] is a multi-purpose stadium in Suva, Fiji.

HFC Stadium is used primarily for rugby league, rugby union and football matches, and features a track as well as a pitch suitable for worldwide competition. The stadium has a capacity of 4,300.[2]

Construction and renovations

Originally called Buckhurst Park, the stadium was constructed in 1951 on sixteen hectares of land given by William H. B. Buckhurst in 1948.[3] [4]

The stadium was first renovated in 1978–1979 for the Sixth South Pacific Games.[5] Work commenced in April 1978 with the demolition of the grandstand, which had lost its roof during Hurricane Bebe.[6] The stadium was renamed National Stadium upon reopening in 1979.[5]

A second renovation took place in 2012, sponsored by ANZ Fiji, Fiji's largest bank, at a cost of FJD $17.5 million.[7] The stadium reopened in March 2013, with a rugby union game between the Fiji national team and Classic All Blacks.[7]

In June 2022, the Fiji Sports Council announced HFC Bank as the new naming right sponsor of the stadium with the new name designated as HFC Bank Stadium.[8]

The stadium also hosted the 2024 OFC Nations Cup in June 2024.

Buckhurst and Bidesi Parks

The 2012–2013 renovation also included the park and playing grounds behind the HFC Bank Stadium, which are known as Bidesi Park and Buckhurst Park,[7] retaining the stadium's original name.[3] The Buckhurst and Bidesi grounds include three pitches primarily used for training and competition in rugby league, rugby union, football, and cricket,[2] and a small stadium and synthetic training track.[7] Buckhurst Park was the site of the National Baseball Diamond used in the 2003 South Pacific Games.[9] [2]

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: Kumar. Rashneel. New stadium ready for Flying Fijians. 8 May 2013. Fiji Times. Suva, Fiji . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20141108225600/http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=233335 . 2014-11-08.
  2. Web site: Fiji Sports Council . Facilities . 10 July 2014 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160426031517/http://www.fijisportscouncil.com.fj/index.php/facilities . 2016-04-26 .
  3. Web site: Rotary Club of Suva, Fiji, First Club of the South Pacific Islands . Rotary Global History Fellowship . https://web.archive.org/web/20160424200434/https://www.rghfhome.org/first100/global/countries/fiji/ . 2016-04-24 . 18 April 2015.
  4. Web site: Les Iles Fidji et l'Olympisme . fr . LA84 Foundation . 11 April 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304044155/http://library.la84.org/OlympicInformationCenter/RevueOlympique/1979/orf143/orf143p.pdf . 4 March 2016 .
  5. Web site: South Pacific Games 1979 - Fiji . 3 June 2014 . Solomon Islands Games Record . Fox Sports Pulse . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160303194222/http://www.foxsportspulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?client=1-2689-0-0-0&sID=121642&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=8634422 . 2016-03-03 .
  6. News: Sporting history begins . . Frederica . Elbourne . 22 June 2013 . 11 April 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150414115314/http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=237617 . 2015-04-14 .
  7. News: $17.5m For Stadium Upgrade . 9 August 2012 . Anasilini . Ratuva . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160426033904/http://fijisun.com.fj/2012/08/09/17-5m-for-stadium-upgrade/ . 2016-04-26 .
  8. Web site: HFC Bank Takes Over The Iconic National Stadium Naming Rights . 31 August 2022 . Fiji Sun . en-US.
  9. Web site: Buckhurst Baseball Ground – Competition Venue . 29 June 2003 . Fox Sports Pulse . 2003 South Pacific Games . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160426035523/http://www.foxsportspulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?client=0-1992-0-0-0&sID=15068&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=39587 . 2016-04-26 .