NRL game is good business for region

TOOWOOMBA and its surrounding towns have a rich history and tradition in rugby league.

It is the home of many great rugby league players, including Eric Harris, Peter Sterling, John McDonald, Steve Price, Jonathan Thurston, and Shane Webcke to name a few.

It was home to former Queensland Rugby League team, the Toowoomba Clydesdales who were a feeder club to the Brisbane Broncos.

In 2020, as Covid plagued southern states, the Toowoomba Chamber, with the support of The Chronicle, Toowoomba Regional Council, Wellcamp Airport and Toowoomba Rugby League reached out to the Australian Rugby League Commission with a bold play to secure not only a game, but a National Rugby League team for the city.

Fast forward a year, with Covid uncertainty reigning supreme, the Toowoomba Chamber got back on the bandwagon seeking support from the ARLC to at least bring a NRL fixture to Toowoomba.

Step in The Chronicle, who instigated an outstanding “Give Us A Game” Campaign and the Toowoomba Regional Council who negotiated with the State Government and ARLC.

Together, a game was delivered for the community.

But this is more than just a game to the business community and the business of sport is compelling.

Economists have put the value of the NRL game at more than $500,000, while the event is expected to give Toowoomba “unquantifiable” exposure to a national audience when it is broadcast to homes across Australia.

And then there is the international exposure for Toowoomba through media outlets.

The power of this event to showcase this great city, to attract visitors and excite potential new investors is unknown but must be grasped with both hands.

It is time to shine.