Stadium to host Games opening
THE NEW CBD stadium will host the opening ceremony for next year's North Queensland Games.
Thousands of athletes will take centre stage at the new stadium in April next year to launch the 2020 North Queensland Games. The biennial event shared between Mackay, Townsville and Cairns will feature over 40 sports and about 4000 participants. The opening ceremony will be held on April 9.
North Queensland Stadium manager Glenn Arboit said staff were working hard to secure events for the venue.
“We’re really excited about the Elton John concert in February and of course the upcoming North Queensland Cowboys’ season, but it’s great to also have events like this with more of a community focus that engage a range of people,” he said.
TOWNSVILLE’S new North Queensland Stadium has been locked in to host the opening ceremony of regional Australia’s largest multi-sport event.
The Townsville Bulletin can reveal thousands of athletes will take centre stage at the new stadium in April next year to launch the 2020 North Queensland Games.
The biennial event shared between Mackay, Townsville and Cairns will feature over 40 sports and about 4000 participants.
The official opening will be held on Thursday April 9.
The multi-sports event, the largest in regional Australia, was last held in Townsville in 2014.
North Queensland Stadium manager Glenn Arboit said staff were working hard to secure a range of events for the venue.
“We’re really excited about the Elton John concert in February and of course the upcoming North Queensland Cowboys’ season, but it’s great to also have events like this with more of a community focus,” he said.
“We’re working with community and industry partners to identify ways to ensure the stadium delivers in multiple ways, such as making our function rooms available for hire for cultural and community purposes.”
Minister for Sport Mick de Brenni said the stadium was being built for the whole community.
He said the stadium would host professional rugby, rugby league and football.
“This is an opportunity to fly the flag for the region and particularly support some of our up and comers,” he said.
“Holding the opening ceremony here gives athletes in junior or semi-professional leagues and a broader range of sports the chance for the recognition.”
North Queensland Sports Foundation chair Jessie Richardson said the foundation was working to make 2020 the biggest games yet and would feature sports such as athletics, swimming, hockey, netball, BMX, cycling and Special Olympics.
“Securing the stadium for the opening ceremony means we can really kick things off with a bang,” she said.
Member for Townsville Scott Stewart said the event would show that Townsville had a winning track record with hosting major sporting events. The 2020 games will be officially launched at the Townsville Sports Expo in January.