A thrilled Tas Baitieri (International Rugby League Development Manager) and Peter Clarke (Manager Western Region Country Rugby League) met with an equally excited Parkes Mayor Ken Keith OAM on Thursday to discuss community engagement plans ahead of the visit from French Rugby League later this year.
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The Western Rams will host France under lights on Jock Colley Field on October 30.
Cr Keith said he congratulates France on their initiative to bring a team out into the Western Division to play a game.
"I think that's sensational for France and for French Rugby League," he said.
"Off the field, it's a massive economic boost to local tourism.
"We pioneered sports tourism back in the mid 80s and it culminated in the international rugby league test match [against France] in 1990.
"A lot of other towns now have seen the benefits of sports tourism and have built big major facilities, but it's nice to come back to the home of those big games at Parkes to host France again in this major event against Western Division."
Mr Baitieri said the French team will be in the area for about four days
"We are looking at doing some fundraising activity if we can with the local council," he said.
"Everybody is well aware of the drought that the country is suffering and it is another opportunity to help out.
"We'll have some school clinics, some French lessons, maybe some cooking lessons, who knows, the sky's the limit.
"I'm sure on the day we will look at a format where there will be a fair bit of activity here in Parkes with some curtain raiser games and who knows, maybe a women's game or two."
Peter Clark said Country Rugbly League is over the moon.
"The feedback since we announced it on Bastille Day has been coming in thick, they can't believe we've got the French back," he said.
"It's a tradition that we lost, but we've got them back, a national team are going to be playing here at Jock Colley Field and everyone is abuzz at that opportunity to play against a team like the French.
"We think it's going to be a fantastic event.
"We don't normally have games in the middle of October but we think it's a good time to play, it's a Wednesday night and obviously in rugby league heartland, not only in Parkes but the communities around like Trundle, Eugowra, Forbes and Peak Hill."
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