New stadium would ‘open many doors’
THE region’s premier rugby league club is unlikely to bring a regular season game to the Far North in the near future, with a lack of corporate facilities in Cairns making the process “difficult”.
Cairns will host an NRL pre-season trial match between the North Queensland Cowboys and the Brisbane Broncos on Saturday, February 22, at Barlow Park.
But the chances of the Cowboys bringing a first-class NRL match to the region are slim, at least until the region can provide the appropriate facilities, according to Cowboys director of football Peter Parr.
“That (bringing a regular season NRL game to Cairns) is something that’s always difficult, given the amount of season tickets we sell in corporates,” he said.
“There is a lack of facilities here (in Cairns), particularly around corporate facilities.
“That’s one of the reasons we’re able to survive – the amount of support we get.
“We have a significant amount of corporate areas, boxes and things like that, in Townsville and it’s difficult to provide those people with the same opportunity, with the lack of a quality stadium here in Cairns.”
Mr Parr’s comments support calls for the construction of a new, purpose-built rectangular stadium in Cairns.
While Barlow Park averaged 12,000 spectators at six NRL games from 2013 to 2018, the venue does not have a gym or broadcast-standard lighting required for night fixtures.
There is also the athletics track surrounding the playing field, which detracts from the fans’ viewing experience.
The last time a regular season NRL match was played in Cairns was in July 2018, when the South Sydney Rabbitohs defeated the Cowboys 21-20.
The benefits of a new or upgraded rectangular stadium in Cairns would not be limited to rugby league, with the project opening the door for the city to host other elite sporting fixtures.
It could also provide a training base for world championship, World Cup or Olympic teams, and contribute to the proposed Queensland/SEQ 2032 Olympic bid.
A potential rectangular stadium is included in the City Deal for Cairns.