Supercars set to roar
ENGINES REV FOR TOWNSVILLE SUPERCARS
THE Supercars will race in Townsville this year, with organisers confirming a new date.
The motorsport spectacle will be held on August 29-30, more than two months after its original date of June 26-28 after being pushed back because of the coronavirus pandemic.
But Supercars CEO Sean Seamer said it was too early to determine whether ticketholders and fans would be able to watch the event first-hand.
“Our number one priority is getting to Townsville,” Seamer said.
“I’m sure as restrictions start to ease we’ll be able to introduce people in some way, shape or form closer to the end of August.”
The event last year injected an estimated $36 million into the local economy.
A DATE has been locked in for the Supercars to come to Townsville as part of the 2020 season.
The coronavirus pandemic had thrown the sport’s calendar into disarray and speculation was rife as to whether the showcase would be able to make its way to the region.
However, a rejigged format has enabled Townsville to still host the event, set to go ahead from August 29 to 30. But spectators have not been a confirmed possibility.
While Supercars CEO Sean Seamer is hopeful by August further social distancing and health guidelines will be eased, ultimately that was a decision up to the State Government.
He said Supercars were devising innovative ways to get fans to the events, but urged the event’s fanatics to bear with them for the time being.
A DATE has been set for the Supercars to return to Townsville in 2020.
It is now just a matter of whether fans will be permitted to witness the spectacle.
The Townsville 400 was scheduled to go ahead on June 26, but the weekend showcase will now take place from August 29 to 30 under the restructured Supercars season calendar.
Supercars CEO Sean Seamer said it was too early to determine whether ticketholders and fans would be able to attend, however regardless it was important to ensure the “iconic event” remained part of the 2020 circuit.
But as coronavirus restrictions ease in Queensland following a drastic drop in daily
COVID-19 cases, he said he remained hopeful some spectators would be able to enter Reid Park when the time came.
“I think our No.1 priority is getting to Townsville, getting to places like Winton and Darwin,” Seamer said.
“The fact we go to regional Australia is a key differentiator for Supercars, it’s something our fans love and it’s something we love doing.
“I’m sure as restrictions start to ease we’ll be able to introduce people in some way, shape or form closer to the end of August.”
Last week, Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill told the Townsville Bulletin the council would be eager to bring the Supercars to the region in what would be an important morale boost for the community.
While the 2019 event brought a $36 million windfall to the economy – income to be largely lost if audiences cannot attend – she said the continued easing of restrictions gave her hope it could still provide a timely economic boost. Seamer said fans who had bought tickets would be able to attend the event with that purchase should social distancing guidelines enable audiences to attend.
He said refunds would also be available if the new dates did not suit the plans of the ticket holder.
“As soon as we can let them know, as soon as restrictions change, we’ll be the first to let everybody know how and when they can join us.
“We’re doing a range of different innovative things … so stay tuned we’re doing everything we can to get you back trackside.”
ONLY the day before COVID-19 business restrictions kicked in, Pride Human Performance opened its centre doors.
It has been an interesting initiation to the sport-business sector for founder Jillian Joyce, however adapting in trying times has the venture on the path to success.
Joyce, the 2019 Northern Rays coach, stepped aside from her duties with the club to focus on Pride, which aimed to bridge the services gap between athletes in Townsville and Queensland’s southeast.
The coronavirus pandemic has caused several sport stars to return to the region, and the likes of Portland
Pilots duo Haylee Andrews and Alex Fowler and Queensland Firebird Kim Jenner have sought out the service to ensure they are better prepared to return to their professional environments.
Having had access to such high-calibre athletes has enabled Joyce and her team to be exposed to the ways in which those players operate to devise personalised programs in injury prevention and rehabilitation, as well as general performance.
Joyce said these opportunities could enable them to expand their brand and make a more significant imprint on sport in Townsville.
She said while the primary demographic were athletes who were looking to succeed at the highest levels of their code, they wanted to increase their clientele to those who have not made the next leap but were either on the verge or decided the professional route was not for them.
The grand idea is that aspiring stars are not lost to other regions as they chase their athletic pursuits.
“One of the things we want to work with is community sport to teach players, who may not make the decision to go to professional sport, to stay engaged longer. That will only strengthen the overall Townsville competitions,” she said.
“If we keep those (mid 20year-olds) in the game, we can keep strong club-based players playing.
“That can only help sport as a whole in Townsville, which then enables our up and coming athletes to stay local longer because they’re getting the level of support and competition they need.”
The current health crisis has hindered Pride’s ability to provide the same one-on-one and personalised experience it intends to for all its clients, but the enforced adaptations have them prepared for well into the future.
Zoom sessions have been arranged with athletes as far away as Canberra, however the State Government’s easing of coronavirus restrictions will allow them to return to more individual services today.
Joyce said the holistic approach the business provided its athletes – in nutrition, physiotherapy, psychology and injury prevention – would make athletes better prepared to handle the rigours of high-level sport.
“Certainly it’s been a challenge in terms of a start for a business,” she said.
“I think that we’ve taken the right first steps in our business … and as time goes on we’ll see more rounded athletes, better prepared for semi-professional and professional sport.”
IF WE KEEP (MID 20YEAR-OLDS) IN THE GAME, WE CAN KEEP STRONG CLUB-BASED PLAYERS PLAYING. THAT CAN ONLY HELP SPORT AS A WHOLE.
JILLIAN JOYCE