Hotelier Jerry Schwartz has thrown his support behind Newcastle's bid to host the 2027 Rugby World Cup with plans to pitch his accommodation and training facilities to visiting teams.
Dr Schwartz, who owns Newcastle Novotel and Rydes Newcastle and Hunter Valley, hosted the NSW Blues at his Fairmont resort in the Blue Mountains earlier this year.
The Blues stayed at the four-star resort and trained at an adjacent field owned by a local school as part of their successful campaign.
It is hoped that the Blues will be able to train on new fields within the Fairmont grounds next year.
At the same time, Dr Schwartz hopes to replicate the model at the four-star Rydges Hunter Valley.
Dr Schwartz recently cleared an area of dying vineyards, meaning that the resort's existing field can be significantly expanded and upgraded.
"We have recently fixed up the field's irrigation and drainage. We are also putting proper grass on it to make it into something of a much higher standard to offer people," Dr Schwartz said.
"I'll be looking to host whatever teams I can.
"If we were to host a World Cup team I'd be looking to upgrade it to international standard."
Outside the World Cup, the project will likely appeal to a range of professional football squads that visit the Hunter.
It could be enhanced further if Dr Schwartz builds a series of development-approved cabins by the dam adjacent to the field.
The Newcastle Herald reported on Tuesday that Newcastle's bid to host the World Cup has been gaining momentum in recent months.
City of Newcastle, Venues NSW, the University of Newcastle, Slattery Auctions and the Newcastle Exhibition and Convention Centre are among the organisations that are supporting the bid.
Newcastle and Townsville are believed to be the only regional locations being considered as potential host cities, with the rest all being capital cities.
Newcastle has hosted a range of international matches across different codes in recent years, but missed out on hosting games or teams for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, despite McDonald Jones Stadium consistently attracting strong crowds for Matildas matches.
In a separate development, Dr Schwartz who owns 100 per cent of of Sydney Seaplanes, plans to launch a Newcastle seaplanes service between Newcastle harbour and the vineyards.
"These flights will commence as soon as I can work out the logistics of landing at Newcastle harbour, at the finger wharves, located adjacent to Rydges Newcastle," he said.
In addition to rugby, Dr Schwartz Hotel is pursing plans to build a $200 million tennis centre at the entrance to the Hunter Valley vineyards.
The "Signature Slam Academy" at Lovedale would include a 6000-seat centre court stadium, 49 outside courts, training hub, exhibition centre, serviced apartments and bunk-style accommodation for up to 1000 "students".
A developer presentation to the NSW Department of Planning and Environment says the academy would target hosting professional events on the men's and women's international tours.
