Bright idea could see home night games by July

THE Townsville Blackhawks could play night games as soon as July after upgraded lights were installed at their home ground.

The new lights at Jack Manski Oval are almost three times brighter than the old ones, which were only suitable for local rugby league games, and surpass the minimum requirement to hold night- time Queensland Cup matches.

Tested for the first time during last week’s TDRL game between Brothers and Burdekin, the lights are also ex- pected to help draw further state and national tournaments to Townsville.

“Now we’re more than capable of hosting Q Cup games at night,” Blackhawks operations manager Adrian Thomson said.

“It gives us options now, especially during the early season when the conditions are exceptionally hot.

“We’re even contemplating having our first night game when the Northern Pride play here in a couple of months’ time.

“In the winter months the light starts to get uneven around 5.30pm, so to have these upgraded lights is ex- ceptionally important for us.” The lights were installed with funding from the State Government’s Get Playing Places Spaces grant and also Brothers Leagues Club.

They were officially unveiled by Blackhawks CEO Justin Wilkins and Thuringowa MP Aaron Harper during the last weekend’s game at Jack Manski Oval between the Blackhawks and Souths Logan Magpies

“Compared to what the lights were previously, it felt like the boys were playing in daylight,” Wilkins said.

“Aaron Harper and the State Government have done a terrific job and we would like to thank them for seeing our project as a worthy beneficiary.

“We sent our application off in September last year and got approval in December, so things have moved quite fast for us.”

Wilkins said he was confident the new lights would attract more games to Townsville.

“We are hoping that this will bring other state level and junior state and national tournaments to Townsville,” he said.

“It’s exciting community.” for the whole