Mayoral Column – Panther pride on show in Penrith

Wednesday, 16 September 2026

With NRL Finals footy fever upon us, Penrith City Council and the community are proudly backing the Penrith Panthers once again. We are a strong sporting City and the Panthers are fantastic representatives who bring everyone together each week.

We congratulate the team on another incredible run in 2026, with 18 wins to round out the season at the top of the ladder. The mighty Panthers put on a masterclass performance against the West Tigers in Round 27, winning 38-10 and claiming another NRL Minor Premiership.

It was a nail-biting first week of finals as our team took on the Sydney Roosters, beating them 19-12. Of course, we’ll be cheering the Panthers on again in next weekend’s preliminary final.

I always love to see your bright Panthers decorations around town. Council is showing Panther pride by flying flags and banners across the City, and the Civic Centre is lit up in the iconic red, yellow and green colours to show our support.

What I value most about the Panthers is the way they bring people together and strengthen the community spirit that makes Penrith so special. Their leadership, resilience and determination, both on and off the field, are an inspiration. Like so many of us, the players are part of everyday life in Penrith – doing the school run, enjoying a meal with family and friends – while taking the time to chat with fans.

As Mayor, I’m proud that our City encourages active lifestyles and supports the health and wellbeing of our growing community. The Panthers inspire children and young people across Penrith to get active, believe in themselves and chase their dreams. On weeknights and weekends, I love seeing our local sporting fields buzzing with activity—from grassroots sport through to elite-level training and games.

We welcome and look forward to more opportunities coming to Penrith next year, as the new stadium opens ahead of the 2027 NRL season. This will literally take the sport and events to new heights and deliver exciting experiences for residents and visitors.

Congratulations and good luck to the Panthers – the entire Penrith community is behind you. Let’s go, Panthers!

Cr Todd Carney
Mayor of Penrith

Information contained within this news release was correct as at Wednesday, 16 September 2026.