Canberra fans start petition to rename Batemans Bay “John Bateman’s Bay”

It would be fair to say Canberra fans have already fallen in love with new signing John Bateman.

Despite only playing four NRL games for the green machine, the Raiders fans have backed a petition to have local town Batemans Bay renamed “John Bateman’s Bay”.

Officially started by ‘The Rugby League Gazelle’, the petition only needs 100 signatures before the end of the season and it will be presented to NSW Housing Minister Anthony Roberts.

The popular coastal resort is located 94 miles from Australia’s capital city and the England stars early season form has called on a group of fans to have the naming rights changed in his honour.

Bateman, an unknown quantity to many NRL supporters prior to this season, is currently third on the Dally M Medal leaderboard behind James Tedesco and Cameron Munster.

“Canberra Raiders second rower and all round good guy John Bateman has taken the NRL by storm in 2019,” the petition reads.

“We feel his cult status should be crystallised by renaming the NSW South coast town Batemans Bay in his honour.

“We would urge the Rugby League community to sign this petition. We plan to present the petition to NSW Minister for Planning and Housing Anthony Roberts by seasons end.”

You can sign the petition here.