That’s the message coming from NSW Touch Football Association general manager Dean Russell after it became unlikely the Tuffins Lane precinct would host the event beyond 2017.

“We’re not going to put our heads in the sand and say if we have to move off Tuffins Lane then that’s just an automatic indication that we’re not coming back to Port Macquarie because that’s not the case at all,” Russell said.

“We’re interested in what the new facility might be, we’re interested to see what the layout of that might be and we’re interested to see if that’s going to have the drainage and facilities that would complement what we would need to do for the senior State Cup event.”

Hastings residents have expressed their dismay at the prospect of losing Tuffins Lane and raised concerns about losing the State Cup forever.

Russell said he understood the negative reaction.

“I can understand why people would take that view given that this is the 28th year the State Cup has been played at Tuffins Lane so in many people’s minds the State Cup can only be played at Tuffins Lane,” he said.

“What we’ve been told and what we’ve seen can be delivered upon, there are certainly going to be advantages of the new property over what Tuffins Lane currently has.”

However, Russell said there were still issues that needed to be sorted through and he threw his support behind Port Macquarie-Hastings Council.

“We know council are trying to work through those issues because council have been very upfront and honest with us all the way through the process,” he said.

The NSWTA general manager said in 12 months time the future of the State Cup in Port Macquarie would become clearer.

“I wouldn’t go on record and say it’s done and dusted,” he said.

“Is there a possibility that the State Cup moves away from Port Macquarie? Yes, that’s a possibility, but there is also the possibility that we stay.

“The actions and interactions that council have had with NSW Touch clearly demonstrate to us that they value the event and they certainly do not want to lose it.”

Russell said Port Macquarie had a tremendous history and track record with the NSWTA which would go in their favour when they went to tender next year.

“Over the past 14 years that I’ve been with NSW Touch, everything council have said they’re going to work towards and deliver at Tuffins Lane they have worked towards and delivered for us,” he said.

“So from that perspective there’s no reason for us at this point in time to cast any doubt given their track record on what they say they’re going to be able to deliver.”